SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake, Major League Soccer's 12th team, in conjunction with Colorado Rapids, and "The Committee of 10", announced today the formation of a new yearly Cup Competition between the two teams that will be organized by the respective fan clubs of the two teams.
"The Rivalry Cup belongs to the fans and we appreciate their avid pursuit of it," said General Manager Steve Pastorino. "Colorado is a natural geographic rival - and I'm sure the debate over the best soccer will evolve, just as we have learned that Utah has better snow, more picturesque mountains and the friendliest people."
The yet-to-be-named competition will involve the creation of a trophy that will be presented annually to the fan club of the victorious team in the competition's four-game series in an effort to encourage fan support and civic pride for this new rivalry between Salt Lake City and Denver. Fans are being encouraged by both teams to vote online for the name of the Cup itself, as well as its design by visiting the official fan website of the competition,
www.RealRapidsCup.com
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RSL and the Colorado Rapids will face each other 4 times in the 2005 regular season: on Sat. April 16 and Sat. Oct. 15 in Salt Lake City at Rice-Eccles Stadium and on Fri. Aug. 26 and Sat. Oct. 1st at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver. If the series is tied 2-2 at the end of the year, a tiebreaker will be used to determine the winner of the competition.
Other elements of the competition will include joint sponsorship, advertising, and ticket sales initiatives coordinated by Real Salt Lake and Colorado Rapids, as well as a plan for corporate economic initiatives between Colorado and Utah.
"The Colorado Rapids are very excited about this Cup Competition," said Colorado Rapids COO and General Manager Charlie Wright. "It will be great for the fans of the clubs to participate in the ownership of this competition. This new rivalry will also give our respective clubs the opportunities to create some innovative business development initiatives off the field that we believe will help make the competition one of the major sporting events in the Rocky Mountain region for decades to come."
The Committee of 10, or "C10", was formed as an organizing entity composed of soccer fans of Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids soccer clubs, and is composed of members from the respective clubs' fans whose election revolves on a volunteer basis. Responding to a desire among fans of the two clubs, C10 hopes to provide a coordinated outlet for the expression of the collective enthusiasm from soccer fans of the Rocky Mountain region.
"We are excited to be working with both clubs to enhance the supporters' vision of what this competition can be. The competition is about the fans and excitement about soccer in our communities. It's also about supporting our two clubs, Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids. While I can always hope for the Rapids to reign supreme each year, I know that all soccer fans hope for the success of both clubs," said Chairmain of C10 Jason Maxwell.
Real Salt Lake season ticket packages for the inaugural 2005 season at Rice-Eccles Stadium are now on sale. The RSL 2005 season ticket package features 20 games, including all 16 MLS regular season games and four special bonus games. Real Salt Lake's season ticket pricing consists of a Youth (15 and younger) and an Adult in four price levels. Prices for the 2005 season ticket packages are $200 adult ($180 youth) for the North Goal, $300 adult ($240 youth) for the Corner Flag, $400 ($320 youth) for East Sideline and $500 ($400 youth) for VIP seats. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the RSL Ticket Office at 515 South 700 East, #2R, SLC, UT 84102, by logging onto www.RealSaltLake.com or by contacting the Real Salt Lake Ticket Office at (866) 9-SOCCER.
