Real Salt Lake to Host Free "Rio Tinto Stadium Open House" Saturday v. Austin Aztex
While Major League Soccer's other 14 teams take part in MLS First Kick 2009 this weekend, Real Salt Lake will use the bye week to play one last exhibition contest this Saturday, March 21, when the Utah side will take on the Austin Aztex of the USL First Division as part of the RSL/Sandy City "Rio Tinto Stadium Open House." Real Salt Lake succeeded in finding a quality opponent for Saturday's final preseason tune-up, as the Aztex have ramped up to their debut season in the USL First Division by going 1-1-1 against MLS opponents across the last month, including a 1-0 win over the defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew last Saturday and a 2-2 draw with the Houston Dynamo the prior weekend.
Saturday's unique Rio Tinto Stadium Open House event will allow old, new and future Real Salt Lake fans the chance to take a sneak peek at the 2009 edition of the squad and its state-of-the-art home in Sandy, the day starting with the opening of Carnival Real on the Stadium's east lawn at 10:00 a.m., followed by the gates to the stadium swinging open at 11:00 a.m. and kickoff between RSL and the Aztex at 1:00 p.m. The day will wrap up with fans getting the chance to take photographers with their favorite RSL players, as the team will take to the Stadium's concourse for picture opportunities after the contest.
The RSL/Sandy City Open House will encompass all the happenings of a regular matchday at Rio Tinto Stadium, from Carnival Real to the post-game press conference with Head Coach Jason Kreis - with the noticeable exception of needing a ticket to enter the building! Fans are encouraged to show up early to take in the super-sized Carnival Real area for the event, which will include the regular free activities in addition to 25-cent carnival games, snacks and refreshments for purchase, and photos with RSL mascot Leo the Lion provided by the Sandy City Rotary Club, which will receive all proceeds earned from the pre-game festival.
Parking for the March 21st event at Rio Tinto Stadium will be free and available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Stadium's three on-site lots - South, West (VIP), and North (Ardell Brown grounds) - in addition to the parking lots located at Canyons Transportation (9400 South) and Helms Lot (9000 South) to the southwest and north of the Stadium, respectively. For an updated list and map of all available parking lots for the March 21st Open House event, please visit www.RioTintoStadium.com.
Only 11 Days until RSL Opens up 2009 MLS Season at Seattle Sounders FC
While the other 14 Major League Soccer teams will take part in MLS First Kick 2009 throughout this upcoming weekend, Real Salt Lake will be able to sit back and watch the proceedings unfold as the lone team with a bye week. You can rest assured that RSL will be watching the MLS Season Opener this Thursday at Seattle's Qwest Field between Seattle Sounders FC and the New York Red Bulls, as the Utah side will be the next team to travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on the League's newest addition. Real Salt Lake and Seattle are set to square off in the first contest of RSL's fifth Major League Soccer campaign next Saturday, March 28, with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m. MT in a contest that will be carried live on RSL's radio partner KALL 700 Sports (RSL First Kick pre-game coverage starting at 7:30 p.m.).
Real Salt Lake Schedule: March 18-22, 2009 (all times MT unless noted)
Real Salt Lake's practice and match schedule for March 18-22, 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 contacting the RSL Communications Department at 801-727-2716.
Wednesday, March 18: Training at XanGo Field in Lehi - 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 19: Training at XanGo Field - 10:00 a.m.<br>
Friday, March 20: Training at XanGo Field or Rio Tinto Stadium - 10:00 a.m.<br><i><b>Saturday, March 21: Rio Tinto Stadium Open House - RSL v. Austin Aztex (USL-1)</b></i><br>
• Carnival Real opens - 10:00 a.m. MT
• Rio Tinto Stadium gates open - 11:00 a.m.
• Kickoff, RSL v. Aztex - 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 22: Off Day
RSL Goes Perfect in Charleston to Win Carolina Challenge Cup
In a season where Real Salt Lake is hoping to collect plenty of hardware, the Utahns got off to a flying start by going a spotless 3-0-0 in the Carolina Challenge Cup to win the sixth annual edition of the preseason tournament hosted by the USL-1's Charleston Battery. In the de facto championship match last Saturday against then tourney co-leader Toronto FC, RSL used early goals from Yura Movsisyan (6') and Clint Mathis (20') to post what proved to be an insurmountable lead in its 2-1 victory. The result could bode well for the 2009 hardware hopes of the Claret-and-Cobalt, as in four of the tournament's previous five seasons the victor has gone on to hoist either the MLS Supporters Shield (Columbus in 2004, San Jose in 2005) or MLS Cup (Houston in 2006 & 2007).
New '09 Gear Rolling in to RSL Team Store at Rio Tinto Stadium
The Real Salt Lake Team Store at Rio Tinto Stadium (located on the east side of the stadium at 9256 S. State Street in Sandy) is getting you ready for the 2009 season just in time, as new officially-licensed RSL/adidas merchandise - headlined by a new line of hoodies and jackets - has begun rolling in across the last week. The RSL Team Store "Item of the Week" special encourages you to buy in bulk and get the whole family ready for RSL's upcoming fifth season of play, as orders totaling $100 or more will get their pick of any RSL T-shirt in stock for free. In addition, the RSL Team Store will continue its Friday "Real Hours" special this week by offering all 2008 RSL T-shirts and polos for 50% off from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
To take advantage of these 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 $10 shipping, phone orders, autographed and personalized merchandise, and how you can get 25% off your purchases - call the RSL Merchandise Hotline at 801-727-2888.
RSL Single-Game Tickets, Flex Plans and Family 4-Packs on Sale
Real Salt Lake's first full campaign at its new home of Rio Tinto Stadium starts in just 16 days, meaning time is running out to purchase your tickets for RSL's home opener on April 2 against the defending champion Columbus Crew. Individual game tickets for Real Salt Lake's entire 2009 regular season slate at Rio Tinto Stadium are on sale to the public, with prices ranging from $15-$60. To see Real Salt Lake's full 2009 regular season schedule, a listing of other upcoming events hosted at the world-class venue in the heart of the Wasatch Front, and the Stadium's seating map, please visit www.RioTintoStadium.com.
In addition, Real Salt Lake's two newest ticket plans - the "Flex Pack" and "Family 4-Pack" - also remain on sale. The Flex Pack combines the convenience of date flexibility with a lower price point than day-of-game purchasing by including 18 vouchers, redeemable in any combination for any of Real Salt Lake's 15 regular-season games. Subject to availability, seats are assigned at the time of redemption in four different price levels, beginning at just $315. The "Family 4-Pack" is available for every home regular-season game, including the team's April 2 Opening Day showdown against the defending MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew. The Family 4-Pack includes 4 Tickets, 4 Brats and 4 Drinks for only $88!
For more information regarding Real Salt Lake's 2009 ticketing options, please visit www.RioTintoStadium.com or call the RSL Front Office at 801-727-2701.
Secure Your Spot for Historic Year at Rio Tinto Stadium with a 2009 RSL Season Ticket Package
The best way to get ready for Real Salt Lake's historic first full season at Sandy's Rio Tinto Stadium is to become a Real Salt Lake Season Ticket holder. RSL Season Ticket packages for the club's fifth MLS campaign - kicking off in just over two weeks on Thursday, April 2, against the defending MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew - start at just $300, with benefits including:
• Tickets to RSL's 15 MLS regular season games, the 2009 MLS All-Star Game and additional exhibitions (TBA)
• First right of refusal for additional events taking place at Rio Tinto Stadium throughout 2009, including the Eagles, Kenny Chesney and CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' 2009 concerts
• 25% off all merchandise purchased at the RSL Team Store at Rio Tinto Stadium
• A group rate for any additional tickets to RSL matches
• An invitation to the annual RSL Meet the Team event
• Access to a Personal Account Service Manager and the new Veritix "Flash Seats" ticket management program
• A free RSL scarf
For more information on how to become an RSL Season Ticket holder in time for kickoff this spring, contact the RSL Front Office at 801-727-2701 or visit www.RioTintoStadium.com.
MLS Direct Kick Package Starts this Weekend with MLS First Kick 2009 Free Preview
Major League Soccer's Direct Kick television package is again available for $79, providing fans the opportunity to watch up to 130 MLS regular season matches and select playoff games during the 2009 season. Direct Kick returns for the League's 14th season and is available on three separate outlets. Starting this Saturday, March 21, satellite TV providers DIRECTV and DISH Network®, along with digital cable provider iN DEMAND Networks, will once again each present regional telecasts of Major League Soccer action. Major League Soccer has collaborated with all three providers to offer a FREE PREVIEW period, Saturday, March 21, during the opening weekend of the season known as MLS First Kick presented by Dick's Sporting Goods.
The residential price is just $79 on any of the three platforms. Commercial establishments can purchase the package for a flat rate of $100. The package will be available for purchase through each outlet between now and the end of the season.
MLS Direct Kick will include regional broadcasts of MLS regular-season and select MLS Cup Playoff games, including pre-game and post-game shows (when available). All 225 games of the 2009 regular season, the 2009 MLS All-Star Game, MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup 2009 will be available between the MLS Direct Kick package and national broadcast partners ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Español, and Univisión network Telefutura.
DIRECTV
1-800-GET-SPORTS, 1-888-388-6622 (Spanish), online at www.directv.com/mls
price (residential): $79.00
price (commercial): $100
(888-200-4388)
DISH Network ®
1-800-333-DISH (3478), online at www.dishnetwork.com/soccer
price (residential): $79.00
price (commercial): $100
(800-454-0843)
iN DEMAND (Digital Cable TV)
1-888-SPORTS-iN, online at www.indemand.com/sports
price (residential): $79.00
price (commercial): $100
(888-776-7874)
"MLS Fantasy Challenge" Kicking Off on MLSnet.com
Registration for the "2009 MLS Fantasy Challenge (MLSFC)," the official fantasy game of Major League Soccer, is now live on the League's web site. Major League Soccer's Fantasy Challenge is a free weekly online fantasy game that allows soccer fans the opportunity to manage their own soccer team using real-life statistical results. FoxSoccer.com, in collaboration with STATS, has developed several exciting MLS Fantasy Challenge 2009 game enhancements that will provide soccer fans a more engaging user experience.
Registration for the 2009 MLSFC is free and can be accessed by going to http://fantasy.mlsnet.com or http://foxsoccermls.stats.com. Fans who register for the free fantasy contest via www.MLSnet.com or www.foxsoccer.com on MSN have the opportunity to win more than 400 MLS prizes, including a pair of all-expense paid trips for two people - one to the 2009 MLS All-Star Game at Rio Tinto Stadium on July 29, and one to MLS Cup 2009 on Nov. 22. Prizes include autographed All-Star jerseys and balls, official MLS memorabilia, and several other exclusive MLS items.
USA Men's and Women's Teams to Call Rio Tinto Stadium Home in 2009
The first full season of events at Rio Tinto Stadium will feature the return of U.S. Soccer to the Beehive State, as games featuring the United States Men's and Women's National Teams have been finalized. U.S. Soccer will announce ticket information for both contests in the near future, but Real Salt Lake has announced that the club's 2009 season ticket holders will be given the opportunity to purchase tickets for both USA matches before seats become available to the general public.
The star-spangled soccer events in Sandy will start on Saturday, May 23, when the defending Olympic champion U.S. Women's National Team will take on Japan in a rematch of their Olympic semifinal clash last summer in Beijing. Kickoff for the Memorial Day weekend friendly is set for 4:00 p.m. MT. The appearance for the USA Women in Utah will mark only its second-ever contest in the state - and its first in six years - with the first coming in front of 20,000 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium during a 5-0 win over Ireland back in 2003.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, the U.S. Men's National Team will take its turn in calling Rio Tinto Stadium home, as the squad will play host to El Salvador in a pivotal CONCACAF region World Cup qualifier. Kickoff and broadcast information for the contest will be announced by U.S. Soccer in the near future. The USA Men will also be making their second appearance in Utah, the first also coming during World Cup qualifying action on June 4, 2005, against Costa Rica. The USA went on to dominate the "Ticos" during a 3-0 win at Rice-Eccles Stadium, a triumph spurred on by a tremendous crowd of 40,586 that provided the U.S. with one of the more enthusiastic audiences in recent memory.
CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' 2009 Tour Joins the Eagles and Kenny Chesney on Rio Tinto Stadium Concert Slate
Rio Tinto Stadium has already lined up three big shows to start off the state-of-the-art venue's slate of concerts in 2009, with the Eagles, Kenny Chesney, and the joint bill of REO Speedwagon, Styx & .38 Special all scheduled to come through Sandy this spring and summer. The fun starts on Saturday, May 9, when the Eagles will end the North American leg of their Long Road Out of Eden tour with an 8:00 p.m. MT show, followed later that month on Saturday, May 30, by the CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' 2009 tour stop featuring REO Speedwagon, Styx, and .38 Special, presented by VH1 Classic and Rock Band , at 7:00 p.m. Kenny Chesney's "Sun City Carnival" tour will heat up the Wasatch Front on Thursday, July 23, with the 5:30 p.m. concert - also featuring Sugarland and Lady Antebellum - serving as part of Rio Tinto Stadium's "Days of '47" celebration across the Pioneer Day Weekend.
Tickets for the Eagles ($50-$175) and Kenny Chesney ($29-$125) shows are now available and can purchased via one of three ways: online at www.RioTintoStadium.com, over the phone at 888-4RSLTIX (888-477-5849), or in person at the Rio Tinto Stadium Box Office from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. MT. For the CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' 2009 tour, tickets start at just $13.50 and will go on sale to the general public this Friday, March 20, at 10:00 a.m. MT via www.RioTintoStadium.com and the 888-4RSLTIX hotline, while the Stadium's ticket windows open Saturday, March 21, at 10:00 a.m. for in-person purchases. Real Salt Lake season ticket holders have first crack at seats for the CAN'T STOP ROCKIN' show, as their pre-sale window opened today and will continue through Friday at 10:00 a.m. leading up to the public on-sale.
