SANDY, Utah (Monday, December 15, 2014) – Real Salt Lake today announced finalized plans for the club’s 2015 preseason schedule, which will include a pair of training camps based in Arizona and 10 days in Irvine, California. The Claret-and-Cobalt will make the club’s fourth consecutive appearance in the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup as part of three preseason trips on the schedule.
RSL will spend its first week in the familiar surroundings at the Grande Sports World facility - home to the club's acclaimed youth academy - outside of Casa Grande, AZ, from Jan. 25-31. All RSL players will be required to report for entry physicals on Sat., January 24, prior to departing for Casa Grande.
After a brief return to Utah, camp will then shift for a third consecutive preseason to Irvine from Feb. 3-12.
Finally, the team will again return to Arizona, back to Tucson for RSL's fourth consecutive invite to FC Tucson's Desert Diamond Cup preseason tournament. This final leg of preseason training will run from Sunday, Feb. 15 to Sunday, March 1, in advance of the 2015 MLS season.
The Desert Diamond Cup competition features games pitting RSL against fellow MLS sides New England Revolution, Montreal Impact and Sporting Kansas City, and will kick off on Wednesday, Feb. 18 - with games each Wed./Sat. throughout the two-week tourney - and conclude with the Championship, 3rd Place and 5th Place matches on Saturday, Feb. 28. Others participating in the tournament include the Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders FC.
Fans interested in watching the premier MLS preseason tournament of 2015 in person can visit www.FCTucson.com to secure their seats at the Kino Sports Complex.
Following the squad’s return from Arizona, Real Salt Lake will begin final preparations for the start of Major League Soccer's 20th season.
Real Salt Lake 2015 Preseason Schedule (subject to change)
Friday, Jan. 23 – Entrance physicals in Salt Lake City
Sunday, Jan. 25 – Physical testing/training sessions in Salt Lake City area (time/locations/media access TBA)
Spring Training Trip #1 – Casa Grande, AZ
Sunday, Jan. 25 – Travel to Casa Grande, AZ
Saturday, Jan. 31 - Return to Utah
Spring Training Trip #2 – Irvine, CA
Tuesday, Feb. 3 – Travel to Irvine, CA
Thursday, Feb. 12 – Scrimmage v. opponent TBD / Return to Utah
Spring Training Trip #3 – FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, AZ
Sunday, Feb. 15 – Travel to Tucson, AZ
Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Match #1 vs. New England Revolution – 6:00 p.m. MT
Saturday, Feb. 21 – Match #2 vs. Montreal Impact – 6:00 p.m. MT
Wednesday, Feb. 25 – Match #3 vs. Sporting Kansas City – 8:00 p.m. MT
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Championship/3rd Place/5th Place Match vs. TBD
Sunday, Mar. 1 – Return to Utah
