There are few jerseys in the world of soccer as recognizable as the black and blue vertical stripes of FC Internazionale Milano. The stars that have donned the iconic kits of one of Italy’s top clubs read like a who’s who of top players from all over the world. And on July 19 when Inter Milan takes the pitch at Rio Tinto Stadium for a friendly against Real Salt Lake, the next group of those stars is slated to be in tow or the first European friendly RSL will play since Everton visited Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2007.
While the international friendlies have become a staple in Major League Soccer’s summer calendar, it’s been a rarity for Real Salt Lake, whose only friendly since June of 2010 came against Tijuana in 2014. With midseason friendlies against any competition a rarity and no matches against European clubs since 2007, the team is excited to have the opportunity to showcase themselves against a world-renowned club while also providing an entertaining feature for the club’s fans.
“I think it’s going to be fun, especially for the players. We don’t have the opportunity to play those kinds of games here,” RSL midfielder Javier Morales said. “They can see a lot of stars playing on the field in our stadium and it’s going to be fun for everyone.”
Added defender Tony Beltran, “It’s really exciting for the city and for the fans to host a team of that pedigree, but for us players as well. It will be a fun matchup. We haven’t played a European friendly since I’ve been here so it will be an interesting game and it will be fun to test ourselves against them.”
Since 2007, Real Salt Lake’s international competition has come almost exclusively in CONCACAF Champions League. The only exceptions coming in a pair of friendlies in 2009 against Club America and Chivas de Guadalajara from Mexico, a 2010 match against Puntarenas from Costa Rica and the 2014 match against Xolos.
Against Inter, Head Coach Jeff Cassar will have a different type of competition on the other side of the ball. Though peppered with players from South America, there is a decidedly Italian style to Manager Roberto Mancini’s club.
“It’s just a different style of soccer. Each league has its own little quirks and the Italian league is extremely tactical, very organized and disciplined,” Cassar said. “I think that’s going to be a great opportunity for our players to see that kind of soccer and go through that. Hopefully we can have more of these games going on in the future. It’s just a positive all around.”
Although he hasn’t played a friendly with RSL against a European opponent, Beltran has faced European competition in his two appearances in the MLS All-Star Game, facing AS Roma in 2013 and Tottenham Hotspur in 2015.
While those are matches that Beltran will always remember, facing a club of that caliber while with Real Salt Lake takes on a different meaning.
“The All-Star Game is a lot of fun, but the team is not as cohesive as our team since we play together every day,” Beltran said. “You’ll see that in the All-Star Game and I think we’ll see that in this friendly as well.”
While it may result in some schedule congestion during a busy summer, the opportunity to host a top-flight, world-class opponent like Inter is one the club couldn’t pass up.
“It’s going to be fantastic. It’s going to be great for the players out on the field. It’s going to be great for the fans to see such a high level opponent. It’s going to be nice for the coaching staff to prepare for a team outside your league and a different style,” Cassar said. “It’s just a win for everybody and it’s a great experience for everyone.”
For more information on the July 19 friendly, click here.
