REAL SALT LAKE GAMEDAY EVENTS:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9 v. LA GALAXY
Super-Sized
Carnival Real Comes to Rio Tinto Stadium before Wednesday’s Western Conference
Showdown;
After
the Match, Zions Bank “Summer Kickoff” Continues With a Special Concert by
American Idol Winner David Cook
SANDY, Utah (Tuesday, June 8, 2010) – After a whirlwind trip to the Nation’s Capital last week, Real Salt Lake (6-3-2, 20 pts.) settles back at home this Wednesday, June 9, for one of the 2010 MLS season’s most high-profile contests to date, the second and final MLS Cup 2009 rematch between RSL and the Los Angeles Galaxy (10-0-2, 32 pts.). The showdown between the two hottest teams in Major League Soccer, part of the night’s “Zions Bank Summer Kickoff,” is slated for a 7:00 p.m. MT kickoff at Rio Tinto Stadium, while the special night in Sandy will conclude with a post-game concert by American Idol winner David Cook.
Tickets
for Wednesday’s massive Western Conference match-up are still available and can
be purchased online at www.RealSaltLake.com
and www.RioTintoStadium.com,
over the phone at 888-727-2702, and in person at the Rio Tinto
Stadium Box Office from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on weekdays and beginning at
10:00 a.m. MT on gameday.
American Idol Winner
David Cook to Close-out Summer Kickoff with Post-game Concert
As part of the “Zions
Bank Summer Kickoff,” fans coming to Wednesday night’s match will be
treated to a special performance by the winner of American Idol’s
seventh season, David Cook. Cook will warm up for his post-game show by
singing the National Anthem during pre-game ceremonies before capping the
evening with a concert on Rio Tinto Stadium’s south-end stage immediately
following the match.
Cook stormed the
international music scene with his performances in late 2007 and early 2008 on
the hit show American Idol, winning the competition in May 2008. Just
one week later, the Houston-born singer broke several Billboard chart
records, most notably his record-shattering feat of having 11 songs debut on
the Hot 100, beating the previous record set by Miley Cyrus (Hannah
Montana) in 2006, when she had six songs debut. Wednesday’s event is presented
by Zions Bank as a celebration of the beginning of summer, and as
congratulations to all students finishing another school year.
Zions Bank’s
“Kick Off to Summer” Highlights Wednesday’s Festivities
Fans will have plenty of
reasons to find their seats early before Wednesday’s 7:00 p.m. kickoff, as the “Zions
Bank Summer Kickoff” pre-game show will be one not to miss. The events will
start after player warm-ups with a “Countdown to Summer,” featuring a
spectacular pyrotechnic display lighting up the summer night in Sandy and RSL Founder and Co-owner Dave Checketts
congratulating the captains of the Utah High School State Soccer Champions
for a recognition ceremony at midfield, followed by the group doing their own
kickoff to summer by booting RSL/Zions Bank soccer balls to fans in the stands.
The captains will then
be joined at midfield by the club’s special guest that evening, eight-year-old Tomas
Hollenbach, an avid fan of the Claret-and-Cobalt who was recently diagnosed
with a brain tumor. The pre-game celebration will continue with RSL fans
participating in the Parade of Kings and the unveiling of the USA flag,
precluding the singing of the National Anthem by David Cook.
At halftime, more of the
state’s best and brightest high school students will be honored during the Zions
Bank“Outstanding Student” recognition. Nearly 30 valedictorians
from across Utah will be singled out at midfield by Zions Bank, with each
student receiving a Real Salt Lake scarf as a gift from Utah’s MLS side.
Real Salt Lake and Zions
Bank are also honored to host the two winners of the Zions Bank “Ultimate
Summer Kickoff” contest for Wednesday’s big night at Rio Tinto Stadium, Baylie
Ashley and Lisa Haggerty, each of whom raised enough money to
purchase 30 mosquito nets on behalf of the Nothing But Nets campaign.
For their efforts in the fight to end malaria, both winners will get a
limousine ride to Rio Tinto Stadium, courtesy of Royal Limousine, to watch the
RSL-Galaxy match with 25 of their friends; an on-field VIP recognition on the
stadium VideoBoard; VIP access for the David Cook post-game concert; and access
to a special meet-and-greet with the American Idol winner following the
show.
Carnival Real
Stepping Up Wednesday to Match Grandeur of Big Game v. Galaxy
In light of the match up
between the two hottest teams in Major League Soccer, Zions Bank will help
Real Salt Lake take the usual excitement of the Carnival Real pre-game
festival to the next level for Wednesday’s showdown against the Galaxy.
Opening two hours before kickoff at 5:00 p.m. MT, Carnival Real will
have even more activities for RSL fans young and old on the Stadium’s East
Lawn, including Zions Bank’s “Cash Cube,” additional inflatable games
for kids (bounce houses, an obstacle course, and a giant slide), a live
performance by Utah High School PTA Battle of the Bands finalist “Fair Enough,”
and the usual bevy of sponsor booths and giveaways.
Speaking of those
friends of RSL that will help keep Carnival Real hopping on Wednesday night,
participating sponsors at Carnival Real will include: Budweiser (“Designated
Driver of the Game” sign-up), Burger King (“Whopper Hopper” inflatable
and Prize Wheel), Check City, KFC (“Colonel’s Corner” voucher
redemption and halftime “Bucket Brigade” sign-up), Mountain America Credit
Union (inflatable target kick), State Farm Insurance, Wasatch
Property, and XanGo all scheduled to be on hand on Wednesday
evening. Once gates to Rio Tinto Stadium open at 6:00 p.m., fans will also get
the chance to visit the Comcast and Utah Department of Public Safety
(“Responsibility Has Its Rewards” sign-up) booths located on the north
concourse leading up to kickoff.
RSLexpress
Offering Hot Deals on Hot Dogs, Merchandise on Wednesday Night
Nothing
complements a nice summer evening like a good, old-fashioned hot dog … and RSLexpress
wants fans to enjoy Wednesday’s Zions Bank “Kick Off to Summer” at Rio Tinto
Stadium even more by taking advantage of a dollar discount on hot dogs
when ordered through the in-seat delivery service, powered by Mangia. If
a hot dog isn’t enough to satisfy, then it might be time to try the new “RSL
Meal Deal,” which Wednesday night includes a Jumbo hot dog, potato chips,
and a Fiji Water for just $7.50 (reg. $10.00).
In addition
to food service, RSLexpress is now partnering with the RSL Team Store to
help fans keep their eyes on the ball throughout the match. And speaking of,
this week’s RSL Express/RSL Team Store special will allow fans to take home a
ball of their own, as a free replica size 5 RSL soccer ball will be included
with the delivery order of a 2010 White Away RSL replica jersey.
RSLexpress
allows fans to never miss a minute of the action, as RSL faithful can now get
food, drinks, and merchandise delivered to their seats all by using their
mobile phone. It’s easy to use RSLexpress, and creating an account is free! For
more information, including how to create an account or order from a specific
mobile phone, just visit www.RSLexpress.com
or contact a Mangia representative via phone at 877-762-6442.
Cottonwood High
School Senior Honored as RSL/American Express “Hero Among Us”
For
Wednesday night’s “Heroes Among Us” award, Real Salt Lake and American
Express will honor Sam Kaplan, whose efforts to swing for the fences
against breast cancer makes him the latest recipient of the recognition
reserved for everyday citizens doing extraordinary things.
Kaplan, a
baseball player at Murray’s Cottonwood High School, spearheaded an effort to
have his Colts incorporate pink into their uniforms in the name of breast
cancer awareness before approaching local rival Brighton High School to do the
same for their meeting on March 27th. The graduating senior’s
efforts helped make that game the first high school baseball contest held in
the State of Utah dedicated towards the promotion of the fight against breast
cancer.
To further
help the impact of the event spread, Kaplan also enlisted the help of Rowland
Hall softball coach and breast cancer survivor Kelly Howa, who after beating
the disease in 2002 formed Swing for Life, a nonprofit organization that has
raised awareness via sporting events throughout the state, including the
Cottonwood-Brighton contest. In addition, representatives from the Susan G.
Komen Foundation and the Image Reborn Foundation also participated to support
and provide information on the fight against breast cancer.
More than
$1,000 from concession proceeds that day were donated to Swing for Life, but
for Kaplan the game was about much more than that, as he explained it was
simply a good way to raise awareness in the community about a disease that
affects mothers, teachers, and friends that do so much for students like him.
For his community involvement in cleats, Real Salt Lake and American Express
congratulate Sam Kaplan for being a true “Hero Among Us.”
