SANDY, Utah - Real Salt Lake Enjoys Rare Bye Week, Readies for Fire in Two Weeks
After finally climbing back to the .500 mark, Real Salt Lake (9-9-6, 33 pts.) will enjoy its first week off since the beginning of the season, the Utah side finally taking the weekend off from League and exhibition play before taking on fellow playoff contender Chicago Fire at Rio Tinto Stadium next Saturday, Sept. 12. Real Salt Lake's last weekend without a match came during Major League Soccer's opening week of play back in late March, with the team's second bye weekend of the season being filled by the July 11 exhibition against Mexican side Club América.
USA-El Salvador World Cup Qualifier at Rio Tinto Stadium Only Four Days Away!
The highly-anticipated U.S. Men's National Team's FIFA World Cup qualifier against El Salvador is just four days away on Saturday, Sept. , and tickets for the big contest at Real Salt Lake's home of Rio Tinto Stadium are still available! Tickets for this rare Utah visit by the U.S. MNT can be purchased through ussoccer.com, by phone at 801-727-2700 (Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and at the Rio Tinto Stadium Box Office (open Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.).
The U.S. will be making its first trip to Rio Tinto Stadium and will return to the Beehive State for the first time in four years since a dominating 3-0 victory against Costa Rica in front of a raucous crowd of 40,586 at Rice-Eccles Stadium on June 4, 2005. The Labor Day Weekend clash in Sandy will prove pivotal for the Americans in their search to qualify for next summer's FIFA World Cup in South Africa, as the USA now sits in a second place tie on 10 points alongside Honduras, the duo sitting just two points behind group leader Costa Rica, but just a single point in front of fourth-place Mexico with four games remaining. The top three finishers from the CONCACAF region will earn automatic berths to South Africa 2010, while the fourth-place squad will enter a home-and-away playoff with the fifth-place squad from the South American (CONMEBOL) qualifying tournament.
MF Kyle Beckerman & FW Robbie Findley Named to U.S. Squad for World Cup Qualifiers
Real Salt Lake MF Kyle Beckerman and FW Robbie Findley were named last Thursday by U.S. Men's National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley to the roster that will represent the United States in the upcoming CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, taking place at the RSL duo's Rio Tinto Stadium home on Saturday, Sept. 5 against El Salvador and four days later at Port-au-Spain, Trinidad, against Trinidad & Tobago. The duo has reported to the USA's camp in Park City, but, due to Real Salt Lake's bye week, Beckerman and Findley are not expected to miss any time for their MLS side, returning in time for the team's home game on Sat., Sept. 12 against the Chicago Fire.
The 27-year-old Beckerman made six of his nine career "caps" for the USA's senior squad during July's CONCACAF Gold Cup, when he started five of six contests in helping the Red, White & Blue reach the tournament final against Mexico. Beckerman also scored his first-ever goal at the senior level in the tournament, as his equalizer in the quarterfinals against Panama helped spark a 2-1 comeback win. While the 24-year-old Findley will be in search of his second "cap" with the full team after making his senior debut as a substitute on Oct. 17, 2007, at Switzerland, the young striker has more international experience with the U.S. after helping the Under-23 MNT advance through Olympic Qualifying last February and being named one of four alternates for the squad that competed in last year's Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.
FW Pablo Campos Earns MLS Player of the Week Honor for Week 24
Real Salt Lake forward Pablo Campos was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 24 of the 2009 season. Making his first two starts for Real Salt Lake last week, the midseason acquisition from the San Jose Earthquakes scored the game-winning goal in both matches last week against Chivas USA (4-0) and at Kansas City (1-0) on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively, keeping Real Salt Lake in contention for a playoff wild card spot. Campos bested Galaxy midfielder David Beckham and teammate Robbie Findley, as they tied for the next most votes from media members. Campos joins MF Javier Morales (Week 6) and FW Yura Movsisyan (Week 19) among the RSL roll call of Player of the Week winners in 2009.
FW Fabian Espíndola's Left-Footed Laser up for MLS Goal of the Week Award
Real Salt Lake forward Fabian Espindola is looking to bring another weekly honor RSL's way, as the Argentine's blast in last Wednesday's 4-0 win over Chivas USA is one of five nominees for the MLS Goal of the Week honor for Week 24. Espindola's left-footed laser in the 75th minute whizzed past Chivas USA netminder Lance Parker and into the far upper left corner, giving the Utah side an all-important insurance goal in the pivotal clash between the "Class of '05" rivals at Rio Tinto Stadium. To vote for "Espy" for this week's award, visit www.MLSnet.com and click on the "Goal of the Week" link before Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. MT to make your voice heard.
U.S. Soccer Gear Available at RSL Team Store on Gameday this Saturday
Need to don some Red, White & Blue for Saturday's enormous World Cup Qualifier at Rio Tinto Stadium, but you don't have your U.S. Men's National Team jersey or T-Shirt just yet? Well fear not, as the Real Salt Lake Team Store will be ready to cover you in your team colors on Saturday, as, for gameday only, the store will be selling official U.S. Soccer merchandise to the masses before and during the 6:00 p.m. kickoff against El Salvador. Supplies will be limited, so fans are encouraged to hit the RSL Team Store as early as possible to make their patriotic purchases!
Quick trivia question... who's face is on the $20 bill? Even if you don't know the answer, the folks at the Real Salt Lake Team Store at Rio Tinto Stadium will reward you for forking over an "Andrew Jackson" through the rest of the week by giving fans that purchase $20 or more in merchandise a free 2009 MLS All-Star Game cap (no worries, credit cards are still accepted!). To cap off your work week, the RSL Team Store is also slashing prices on the grey adidas/RSL performance T-shirt during this Friday's "Real Hours" from 4:00-6:00 p.m., when the normally $30 shirt will be flying out shelves for just $16.
To get a good look at this week's special items, make sure to check RSL's Behind the Shield blog, located at www.RSLtothecore.com. To take advantage of the store's weekly deals and to see the full range of officially licensed RSL gear, drop by the RSL Team Store during regular business hours: Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. MT. For more information on the Real Salt Lake Team Store - including the $10 shipping offer, phone orders, autographed and personalized merchandise, and how you can get 25% off all your purchases - call the RSL Merchandise Hotline at 801-727-2888.
Two New Ticket Packages Available for RSL's Stretch Run at Rio Tinto Stadium
Only four home games remain on Real Salt Lake's 2009 schedule at Rio Tinto Stadium - including the Oct. 7 friendly against Mexican giant Chivas de Guadalajara - so now's the time to secure your seats for the team's stretch run in Sandy! The Real Salt Lake Ticketing Department has plenty of options to choose from to make sure you have the best seats in the house, including the eight-voucher Flex Pack (starting at $128), single-game Family 4-Packs ($88), KFC Colonel's Corner vouchers ($15) and single-game tickets ($18-$60). To order any of these outstanding ticket deals, or to find out more information on a specific package, please call 800-838-3380, go online to www.RiotintoStadium.com, or visit the Rio Tinto Stadium Box Office in person during regular business hours, Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
In addition, a pair of new ticket options - the "Chivas-Plus Pack" and "Rivalry 3-Pack" - has been introduced to get fans ready for the final two months of the campaign. The "Chivas-Plus Pack" offers convenience and flexibility, with the package including a seat to the Oct. 7 friendly against Chivas, an exclusive pass to a Chivas training session during their Utah visit (time/date/location TBD), and a ticket to any of RSL's three remaining home regular season contests, all for $35 (North Goal) or $55 (Sideline). Meanwhile, the "Rivalry 3-Pack" grants access to all three of Real Salt Lake's remaining MLS home tilts: Saturday, Sept. 12 v. Chicago Fire (7:00 p.m. kickoff), Wednesday, Oct. 14 v. New York Red Bulls (8:00 p.m. kickoff), and the season finale on Saturday, Rocky Mountain Cup rival Colorado Rapids on Saturday, Oct. 24 (7:00 p.m. kickoff). The "Rivalry 3-Pack" can be purchased for just $33 for seats in the North Goal, South Goal and Corners sections, providing a $21 savings in the goal sections and a $42 savings for the corner areas. These two tremendous ticket packs can only be purchased by calling the Real Salt Lake Ticketing Department at 801-727-2700 and will not be available online or in person at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office.
Real Salt Lake Schedule: Sept. 2-7, 2009
Real Salt Lake's full event schedule for Sept. 2-7, 2009, is listed below. All RSL practices are open to members of the media and the general public unless otherwise noted, with media availability for all players and coaches to immediately follow each session. Those planning on attending any session can confirm the time and location of that day's training by calling 801-918-5050.
Wednesday, Sept. 2: Training at XanGo Field in Lehi - 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 3: Training at XanGo Field in Lehi - 10:00 a.m.
Friday, Sept. 4: Training at XanGo Field in Lehi - 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5: RSL - Off Day;
FIFA World Cup Qualifier -
United States (3-2-1, 10
pts.) v. El Salvador (1-3-
2, 5 pts.)
• Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah - 6:00 p.m. MT kickoff
• TV: ESPN Classic (English) / Galavision (Spanish)
Sunday, Sept. 6: Off Day
Monday, Sept. 7: Training at XanGo Field in Lehi - 10:00 a.m.
"RSL on the Air": Tonight's Rocky Mountain Chevy Dealers RSL Coach's Corner Rolls into Riverton Chevrolet in Sandy
The Rocky Mountain Chevy Dealers RSL Coach's Corner on KALL 700 Sports will take the short ride from Rio Tinto Stadium down State Street to Riverton Chevrolet in Sandy (10770 S. Auto Mall Drive), where RSL sideline boss Jason Kreis will join hosts Bill Riley & Spencer Checketts this evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m. As always, RSL fans are invited to join the trio in person to ask their questions on all things Claret-and-Cobalt, while those that can't make it are still encouraged to take part in the show by calling 877-353-0700 or texting 29909. Also, make sure to plan ahead for upcoming Rocky Mountain Chevy Dealers Coach's Corner shows at Jerry Seiner GM in Salt Lake City (Sept. 8), Larry H. Miller Chevrolet in Murray (Sept. 15), and Young Chevrolet Company in Murray (Sept. 22).
MF Ned Grabavoy & GK Kyle Reynish to Appear at Wednesday's RSL Summer Soccer Series Stop in Sandy
The RSL Summer Soccer Serie will stay close to home this Wednesday, Sept. 2, when MF Ned Grabavoy and GK Kyle Reynish will assist in coaching the FREE soccer clinic at Mt. Jordan Middle School inSandy (9360 S. 300 East) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The RSL Summer Soccer Series - conducted by the RSL Youth Soccer staff, players, and coaches - is geared towards children ages 5-17. Pre-registration is encouraged, but on-site sign up is also available. All participants will receive a free RSL Summer Soccer Series T-shirt.
Registration for the Real Salt Lake Summer Soccer Series is open to the public, but a limited number of spots are available. For more information, including the full schedule through September and registration details, please visit the "Community" section of www.RealSaltLake.com, or contact Rachel King at rking@realsaltlake.com / 801-727-2792 or J.C. Perea (bilingual) at jperea@realsaltlake.com / 801-727-2727.
The English-language clinics in this year's Summer Soccer Series are presented by America First Credit Union, Burger King, Pepsi, Rio Tinto, and Salt Lake Regional Medical Center. Bilingual clinic locations in the series are being presented by America First Credit Union, Burger King, Pepsi, Rio Tinto, Siegfried and Jensen, Utah Department of Public Safety, Western Union and Zions Bank.
RSL in the Community: Sept. 2-8, 2009
WHO: Mascot Leo the Lion
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. MT
WHERE: Burger King Restaurant - 7810 S. 1300 East in Sandy, UT
WHAT: Real Salt Lake's series of autograph appearances at Burger King Restaurants across the Salt Lake area will continue this week, when everyone's favorite mascot, Leo the Lion, will stop by the BK location in Sandy on Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:00 p.m. MT. The series will continue next Thursday, Sept. 10, when Leo the Lion will drop by the BK location in Layton, also from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
WHO: MF Raphael Cox
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. MT
WHERE: Ute Soccer Field on the University of Utah campus; Salt Lake City, UT
WHAT: RSL MF Raphael Cox will join the Utah Youth Soccer Association to help kick off Youth Soccer Month at the University of Utah Women's Soccer contest Wednesday night against Weber State. Cox will be signing autographs at the UYSA booth from 6:00-7:00, prior to the #21-ranked Utes' 7:30 p.m. kickoff against the Wildcats.
WHO: MF Tony Beltran
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 3, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. MT
WHERE: Centerville Jr. High; 625 S. Main Street in Centerville, UT
WHAT: RSL DF Tony Beltran will be signing autographs and meeting fans the Utah Rush Soccer Club's Mayors Cup games taking place at the Labor Day weekend tournament's headquarters, Centerville Jr. High in Centerville, on Thursday night from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Follow Real Salt Lake on Your Favorite Social Networking Sites!
Now you can connect with Real Salt Lake through Twitter, Facebook and TXTwire text messaging to get all the behind-the-scenes news and insider scoop on your favorite MLS side. Real Salt Lake recently kicked off its live, in-game messaging with GM Garth Lagerwey, who will continue to provide his entertaining and insightful thoughts to the masses via Twitter and Facebook during the squad's upcoming contests. To follow along with future guest Tweeters and receive exclusive scoops, specials, and promotions on Twitter, Facebook and TXTwire, click on the following links to sign up:
Official Real Salt Lake Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/realsaltlake
Click here for the Official Real Salt Lake Facebook page
Real Salt Lake TXTwire sign-up page: http://www.riotintostadium.com/mobile_alerts.php
