REAL SALT LAKE
GAMEDAY EVENTS:
MONDAY, JULY 4
V. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
Sports Med Utah Presents 6:30 p.m. MT Kickoff for
Annual Independence Day Celebration against the Revs;
Post-game Ceremonies Highlighted by Jason Kreis #9
Jersey Retirement and In-Stadium Fireworks Show;
Real Salt Lake & Sandy City Modify Rio Tinto
Stadium Parking Plan for Monday’s Match
SANDY,
Utah (Saturday, July 2, 2011) –
Real Salt Lake (7-3-5, 26 pts.; 4th in West) will return to
MLS action this Monday, July 4, with the squad’s annual Independence
Day Celebration match, presented by Sports Med Utah, pitting the
Claret-and-Cobalt against the New England Revolution (3-8-6, 15 pts.; 9th
in East) for a second consecutive year. The early 6:30 p.m. MT kickoff
in Sandy will be followed by a special post-game presentation, including the
Jason Kreis #9 jersey retirement ceremony and an in-stadium fireworks display.
Tickets for always
highly-anticipated Independence Day Celebration remain available and can be
purchased via the following methods:
- In person at the Rio Tinto Stadium Box Office on Saturday, July 2, from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and on gameday beginning at 10:00 a.m.
- Over the phone at 888-4RSLTIX (888-477-5849)
- Online at www.RealSaltLake.com
Post-game Festivities Highlighted by Jason Kreis #9
Jersey Retirement Ceremony and In-Stadium Fireworks Show
As part of the
post-game festivities surrounding Monday’s Independence Day Celebration, Real
Salt Lake will hold a ceremony to retire the #9 jersey of its first-ever
player and current head coach, Jason Kreis. Dignitaries from Real Salt
Lake, including Co-owners Dave Checketts and Dell Loy Hansen,
will join members of the Kreis family and other figures from the legendary
striker’s soccer career to share their memories of one of the League’s most
memorable performers. After Kreis’ #9 jersey is officially commemorated in the
Rio Tinto Stadium rafters, fans can enjoy a special in-stadium fireworks
display coordinated with music by the American West Symphony, which
will surely serve as a satisfying warm-up to the numerous displays being held
across the Salt Lake valley later that evening.
After signing with
Real Salt Lake on November 17, 2004, Kreis would become the most iconic figure
in Real Salt Lake’s now seven-year history, with his milestones on the playing
field in Claret-and-Cobalt from 2005-2007 including scoring the first goal in
club history on April 9, 2005 (vs. LA) and becoming the first MLS player to
score 100 goals in league play (Aug. 13, 2005 vs. KC).
Kreis would give up
the captain’s armband and hang up his cleats for good on May 3, 2007, making a
player’s ultimate sacrifice by going from the field to the sideline in order to
become Real Salt Lake’s second-ever head coach. Now in his fifth season as
RSL’s sideline boss, the Omaha, Neb., native has flourished in the role, the
Utah side’s steady ascension from league doormat to MLS powerhouse including
Kreis leading the team to its first postseason berth in 2008, becoming the
youngest coach to win an MLS Cup title in 2009, and helping the squad to
unprecedented heights for an MLS team by reaching the Finals of the 2010/11
CONCACAF Champions League this past April.
Real Salt Lake & Sandy City Modify Rio Tinto Stadium
Parking Plan for Monday’s Match
In conjunction with
Sandy City’s July 4th parade and fireworks celebration plans, Real
Salt Lake has announced the following changes to the normal Rio Tinto Stadium
parking plan for Monday’s contest against New England:
- The Sandy City Hall parking lots will be CLOSED to the public, with the regular accompanying shuttle service also being halted.
- Parking will be available at the Workers Compensation Fund building (9620 State Street). This will be a “Park & Walk” location, meaning NO SHUTTLE SERVICE will be running to/from this lot.
- Following the match and throughout the post-game festivities, fans will be allowed to cross State Street in staggered intervals, as supervised by the Sandy City Police Department.
- Due to road closures in the Sandy City Hall and South Towne Center areas, fans driving to the contest are encouraged to arrive at the stadium from the north in order to alleviate planned congestion to the south of the stadium.
- Click here for a map of available lots and road closures surrounding Monday’s activities in Sandy.
Carnival Real Starts Kicking at 4:30 for Monday’s
Independence Day Celebration
Fans
and families are encouraged to arrive early for Monday’s match against New
England, as good times and giveaways will be available for the taking at the Carnival
Real pre-game festival on the East Lawn of Rio Tinto Stadium,
starting at 4:30 p.m. MT. Local radio stations U92, KBEE 98.7
and 97.5 The Blaze will provide music for the masses, while booths and
displays will also be hosted by several of RSL’s partners, including:
Burger
King (“Whopper
Hopper” inflatable and Prize Wheel), Budweiser, Check City, Ford,
Kentucky Fried Chicken (Chuckin’ for Chicken), Mountain America
Credit Union, Sports Clips, Sports Med Utah, State Farm,
Utah National Guard, Wasatch Property (“Real Nation” section
information), XanGo (free samples) and XINSURANCE.
After
the first 10,000 fans through the Rio Tinto Stadium gates upon opening
at 5:30 p.m. receive their free Jason Kreis #9 RSL posters, courtesy
of Sports Med Utah, they will also have the chance to visit the Comcast,
Ford, Sports Med Utah, and Utah Department of Public Safety
(Designated Driver/Responsibility Has Its Rewards sign-up) booths, all located
on the northeast concourse. In addition, fans will be able to chime in
with their two cents during the ESPN 700Pre-game Show and visit
the RSL Ticketing booth to find out the best ways to keep visiting the best
park in Major League Soccer throughout the remainder of RSL’s 2011 campaign.
RSL Team Store Serving Up Sizzling Summer
Specials
The heat of summer is finally upon the Wasatch Front, and the RSL
Team Store at Rio Tinto Stadium is ready to give the RSL faithful some hot
deals in conjunction with Monday’s Independence Day spectacular! After being closed
for the holiday weekend, the doors to the Team Store will re-open at
10:00 a.m. on Monday, when fans will again be able to take advantage of the
following deals:
- In conjunction with that night’s jersey retirement ceremony, a limited-edition Jason Kreis #9 “throwback” jersey will be available in adult sizes for $50.
- Fans purchasing a youth-sized home or away RSL jersey at the retail price of $50 will receive a free RSL adidas replica mini-ball.
- There no better time to join the RSL Team Store’s “Starting XI”membership program, which includes10 Sideline section ticket vouchers, a personalized away (white) RSL short-sleeved jersey (men’s, women’s, or children’s sizes), and a discount card good for 11% off all future purchases at the RSL Team Store.
Fans wishing to receive more information on any of the
ever-expanding line of Claret-and Cobalt-tinged swag in the store are
encouraged to dial the RSL Team Store Hotline at801-727-2888, or
visit the store in-person during regular business hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00
p.m. MT, Monday-Saturday (except the above-mentioned holiday closures).
Miss the Lines, Not the Moment with RSLexpress!
Why
would you want to leave your seat during what is sure to be a glorious
Independence Day match against New England Revolution? Well now there’s
one less reason to have to head up the aisle, as the best way to “get your
snack on” at Rio Tinto Stadium is through the RSLexpress in-seat delivery
service, powered byMangia. Mangia is making your life easier by
offering a quick and convenient way for you to get your food –there’s
no need to waste time in lines, and you won’t have to wait until halftime
anymore!
RSLexpress
allows fans to purchase food, drinks, and merchandise using their mobile phone,
with their order being delivered directly to their seat in just minutes! It’s
easy to use RSLexpress, and creating an account isfree – just
visit www.RSLexpress.com to
start enjoying in-seat delivery from a mobile device. For instructions on
ordering from an iPhone, the mobile web, or via text message, visit Mangia’s “How To” page, or call 877-762-6442.
Sergeant First
Class Christopher DeCosta to Be Honored as Monday’s RSL/American Express “Hero
Among Us”
Real Salt Lake and American Express are proud
to recognize Sergeant First Class Christopher DeCosta of the United
States Army as Monday’s recipient of the “Heroes Among Us” honor.
Sergeant DeCosta, who has served in the Army for fifteen years, has received
five Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, and one
Meritorious Service Ribbon, awards bestowed to soldiers who show exceptional
leadership and service in battle. The native of Taunton, Mass., is known among
his comrades for his tutelage and mentorship, which have driven soldiers to
stay in the Army and excel in their military and civilian careers. In an
inspirational show of dedication to his country, Sergeant DeCosta recently
signed an Indefinite Reenlistment Contract, giving his word to the Army that he
will serve until he is no longer needed. Sergeant First Class DeCosta is
a great example of dedication and honor, and, as such, Real Salt Lake and
American Express are proud to recognize him as a fitting “Hero Among Us” during
its July 4th contest.
For more information on
the Real Salt Lake/American Express “Heroes Among Us” program, including
details on how to nominate candidates for the 2011 season and biographies of
past recipients, visit the “Heroes Among Us”
page under the “Community” section of www.RealSaltLake.com.
In addition, candidate submissions can be returned via email to heroesamongus@RealSaltLake.com,
fax to 801-727-1469, or mail to the address below:
Rio
Tinto Stadium
Attn:
Heroes Among Us/Lesley Clark
9526
State Street
Sandy,
Utah 84070
Monday’s Group & Guest Recognitions
- National Anthem performers: American West Symphony
- RSL/American Express “Heroes Among Us”: Sfc. Christopher DeCosta
- OhMyCrafts.com “Mom of the Match”: Chrissy Davis
- U.S. Bank Little Leo of the Game: Rachel Wallace
- Ceremonial Coin Toss: Sports Med Utah Representative
- RSL “Goal Gong” Ringers: The Clark Family
- Ball Kids: Layton Strikers
- Pre-game Verizon Wireless “Parade of Kings” participants& recognized groups: TC United
www.RealSaltLake.com / www.RioTintoStadium.com / www.ESPN700Sports.com
