REAL SALT LAKE SCHEDULE: MARCH 5-11, 2012
RSL Opens 2012 Campaign Saturday in MLS First Kick Showdown at LA Galaxy;
Live HD Broadcast on ABC4 Begins at 8:00 p.m. MT, Leading up to 8:30 p.m. Kickoff at The Home Depot Center;
Squad to Open America First Field Facility in Sandy with Tuesday Morning Practice
SANDY, Utah (Monday, March 5, 2012) – With the preseason in the rearview mirror, Real Salt Lake is finally ready to start its eighth campaign in Major League Soccer, beginning this Saturday, March 10, with a marquee matchup against the defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy. Kickoff for the rematch of last November’s MLS Western Conference Championship from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., is set for 8:30 p.m. MT.
Saturday’s contest will mark the first Real Salt Lake broadcast on the club’s new television partner, ABC4, with the station’s high-definition coverage beginning at 8:00 p.m. MT. After guiding fans through 30 minutes of pre-game build-up, the play-by-play voice of RSL, Bill Riley, and veteran MLS color analyst Brian Dunseth will bring fans the call live from The Home Depot Center, marking the first of 31 local RSL broadcasts spread across TV partners ABC4 and CW30 in 2012.
In addition, the in-game call of Riley and Dunseth will be simulcast live over the radio airwaves on ESPN700 and ESPN700Sports.com. The English-language radio home of RSL will begin its pre-game show with hosts Spencer Warne and Brian Kamler at 7:30 p.m. MT, with the duo also set to anchor ESPN700’s post-game coverage from the station’s Salt Lake City studios. Adelante Media Group will continue as RSL’s official Spanish-language radio partner, carrying Saturday night’s broadcast on both La Gran D 102.3 FM and Juan 1600 AM beginning at 8:30 p.m.
Meetings between Real Salt Lake and Los Angeles have turned into some of the most highly-anticipated dates on the MLS calendar, especially since RSL’s triumph over the star-laden Galaxy at MLS Cup 2009 in Seattle. The two Western Conference powers have split their all-time regular season series 7-7-5, which includes Real Salt Lake’s modest 3-6-1 mark at The Home Depot Center, the Utah side’s last win at the Galaxy coming three tries ago on June 13, 2009 (2-0 W).
Both clubs followed the tight script last year by winning meetings in their own buildings, RSL opening its Rio Tinto Stadium slate in MLS play on Mar. 26 with a 4-1 pasting, followed by the Galaxy’s 2-1 comeback win in Carson on Oct. 1. However, it was Los Angeles winning the ultimate rubber match in the Western Conference Championship on Nov. 6, using goals from Landon Donovan, Mike Magee and Robbie Keane to punch their ticket to MLS Cup 2011 via a 3-1 home win over the Claret-and-Cobalt.
Real Salt Lake Schedule, March 5-11: RSL to Open America First Field Training Ground Tuesday
While the return to regular season play will be a welcome change to the Claret-and-Cobalt this week, so too will be the opening of Real Salt Lake’s new America First Field practice ground in Sandy, located at the corner of 10000 South and Civic Center Drive (1/2 block west of State Street).
Real Salt Lake plans to utilize America First Field for its sessions Tuesday through Thursday, but, should weather conditions force changes to the schedule, media will be notified of any updates by 9:30 a.m.
* Please note that, unless otherwise indicated, RSL training sessions are entirely open to members of the media and public. While all RSL players and coaches are scheduled to be available for interviews following training session, media members looking for availability for specific players can arrange their requests through RSL Asst. Director of Media Services John Koluder at 801-918-5050 or jkoluder@RealSaltLake.com.
Monday, March 5: Off Day
Tuesday, March 6: Training at America First Field in Sandy – 11:00 a.m. MT
Wednesday, March 7:
Training at America First Field –
11:00 a.m. MT
CHANGED TO 12:00 PM MT START
Thursday, March 8: Training at America First Field– 11:00 a.m. MT
Friday, March 9: Depart for Los Angeles; Training at The Home Depot Center – Time/Field TBD
Saturday, March 10: MLS First Kick 2012, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods: Real Salt Lake at LA Galaxy
- Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. MT from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
- TV: ABC4 (pre-game coverage begins at 8:00 p.m. MT)
- English Radio: ESPN700/ESPN700Sports.com (pre-game coverage begins at 7:30 p.m.)
- Spanish Radio: La Gran D 102.3 FM and Juan 1600 AM
Sunday, March 11: Return to Utah; Off Day
www.RealSaltLake.com / www.RioTintoStadium.com / www.ESPN700Sports.com
