On Monday, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. and Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson made a declaration: It is officially "Real Week." And Tuesday at Real's kickoff luncheon, the team and staff took the time to pledge themselves to excellence.
"I speak for all the players when I say we love this place and want to make you guys proud," said Jason Kreis.
"We are excited to be back here," added Dipsy Selolwane, "I want to do the job for the fans."
Similar sentiments were echoed by all the players, who have been in awe of the reception they have received in Salt Lake.
"I spent my entire time in Chicago trying to get on weekend sports shows," said Real General Manager Steve Pastorino. "Now I think we have been on every sports show in Salt Lake and we haven't even played a game here yet. Now it is on us to live up to the reception we have received and put it all on the field."
Real head coach John Ellinger upped the ante when he said, "We are going to be a contender for the title and will make the playoffs."
He said that regardless of how players ended up here, they are all capable of competing with anyone in the league.
"There's a lot of players, be it right or wrong, who were placed on the expansion list and they weren't very happy about it," Ellinger said. "When you have something to prove, you play with a little more passion."
That passion is what Ellinger believes will power Real to the upper echelon of MLS clubs. And being the best has been the goal from day one.
"We set out to form an organization that is the premier organization in the league, on and off the field," said Real owner Dave Checketts.
Off the field Real announced the United Way will be its partner in becoming the class of the league. The partnership formed out of the players' desire to give back to a community which has accepted them with open arms.
"It wasn't us who came to them, they came to us looking for a way to give back to the community," said club CEO Dean Howes.
And the giving got underway as the team donated the proceeds of a silent auction to the United Way.
"United Way loves being a part of the soccer revolution that is hitting Salt Lake," Salt Lake United Way CEO Deborah Nielson said. "We are extremely excited to join with Real Salt Lake and make a positive lasting impact in our community together."
With the United Way on board, "Real Week" will continue on Wednesday as Real players and coaches walk the red carpet to full Hollywood fanfare at the Salt Lake premier of "The Game of Their Lives." Kreis and Eddie Pope have cameo appearances in the film.
David Hale is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
