REAL SALT LAKE TO FACE LOS ANGELES GALAXY IN SUNDAY’S WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
Kickoff for Right to Advance to MLS Cup 2011 Set for 7:00 p.m. MT at The Home Depot Center;
RSL to Hold Media Availability at Rio Tinto Stadium Friday Morning before Late Night Departure for SoCal;
Utah Side Earns Return to CONCACAF Champions League for 2012/13 Edition
SANDY, Utah (Thursday, November 3, 2011) – Real Salt Lake now knows its opponent for the Western Conference Championship after the top-seeded Los Angeles Galaxy claimed the second spot courtesy of their 3-1 aggregate goals West Semifinal Series victory over the New York Red Bulls, completed by tonight’s 2-1 home victory at The Home Depot Center. The two combatants from MLS Cup 2009 will meet there this Sunday, November 6 at 7:00 p.m. MT for the right to advance to this year’s version, with the proceedings from Carson being broadcast live nationwide on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Fans can also follow the postseason action as it unfolds on RSL’s official radio partners – ESPN 700/ESPN700Sports.com and Juan 1600-AM.
Prior to leaving for Southern California on Friday night, Real Salt Lake will conduct a morning split-squad training session at Rio Tinto Stadium. Media interested in interviewing starters from last night’s contest in Seattle are asked to contact John Koluder in the RSL Communications Department at 801-918-5050 (mobile) or jkoluder@RealSaltLake.com regarding timing for individual players, while the remainder of the squad will be made available following its 11:00 a.m. practice session on the stadium field.
Fans can click here for details on ticket offers, travel specials and watch parties for Sunday’s contest, thanks in part to RSL’s corporate partners JetBlue and Budweiser.
The MLS Conference Championships are one-off contests, meaning a tie after 90 minutes will result in a 30-minute extra time period played in its entirety (divided into two 15-minute periods), followed by kicks from the penalty spot, if necessary.
Following is the remainder of the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs schedule. For more information on the 2011 postseason, visit www.MLSsoccer.com/playoffs.
Sunday, November 6
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL:
Sporting Kansas City vs. Houston Dynamo
3:30 p.m. MT (FOX Soccer)
LIVESTRONG Sporting Park
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL:
LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN3.com, TSN2)
The Home Depot Center
Sunday, November 20
MLS CUP 2011
7:00 p.m. MT (ESPN, Galavision, TSN2)
The Home Depot Center
RSL Earns Return to CONCACAF Champions League for 2012/13 Edition
Alongside its berth to Major League Soccer’s “final four,” Real Salt Lake tonight earned a valued spot in the CONCACAF Champions League for a second time in three seasons. With Los Angeles already earning a spot in the 2012/13 edition courtesy of its 2011 Supporters Shield and the two remaining American spots going to both of this year’s MLS Cup finalists, RSL is guaranteed a berth, courtesy of a duplicate spot going to the next-highest finisher in regular season league play that has not already clinched a spot. Seattle was runner-up in this year’s Supporters Shield race, but earned the fourth U.S. bid after winning the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for a third consecutive year.
Real Salt Lake Schedule: November 4-7, 2011 (subject to change)
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.
Friday, November 4: Split-squad training & media availability session at Rio Tinto Stadium – starting approximately 11:00 a.m. (see above for details); Depart for Los Angeles
Saturday, November 5: CLOSED practice at The Home Depot Center – Time TBA (media availability session to immediately follow practice)
Sunday, November 6: 2011 MLS Western Conference Championship – (W1) Los Angeles Galaxy vs. (W3) Real Salt Lake
- 7:00 p.m. MT kickoff – The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
- TV: ESPN / ESPN Deportes
- Radio: ESPN 700 & ESPN700Sports.com (English); Juan 1600-AM (Spanish)
- Online: Live updates via Official RSL Twitter Feed (@RealSaltLake) and MLS MatchCenter on RealSaltLake.com
Monday, November 7: Return to Utah (flight details TBA)
www.RealSaltLake.com / www.RioTintoStadium.com / www.ESPN700Sports.com
