Manning said it has not just been in his dealings with Real that people have responded. He admits that his wife, Jennifer, was not all that keen on moving to a state they knew very little about and wary of bringing along his two sons, 9-year-old John and 5-year-old Will.

"We really didn't know much about Utah," he said. "But now that we are getting settled, we like it. We just bought a new house and the people there have been great. Our boys are playing sports and going to school. So far, I like the climate — although, I haven't been through a winter yet. And you really can't beat the scenery. We like it here."

Manning had to make some tough transitions, make the most of some sticky situations.

"Organizationally he is very sound," Checketts said. "He has recruited and got great people around him. He came into a situation where Jason (Kreis) and (general manager) Garth (Lagerwey) were already there, so that is a little politically tricky, but he has done a nice job with them and with the team."

He also was coming into a team that had an established front office. It could have been easy for those around him to resent "the new guy." That hasn't been the case.

"I've known Bill since 1997 when I went to the league office and he was the GM of the Mutiny of Tampa Bay," vice president Trey FitzGerald said. "He is very smart. He sees how all the pieces fit together both with the ticketing to marketing and sponsorships. He is a soccer guy at heart, so he understands that there are a lot of business practices from the NBA and NFL to bring in to the soccer side. He understands the differences of the soccer fan.

"He has been exposed to every size and scope of the industry. He is a sports fan at heart, so he understands what all the different types of people need. He knows what needs to be done to keep everyone happy from Joe Six-pack to the Xango management team. He has been a real plus to have in the organization."

With the new RSL Stadium set to open Oct. 9 against the New York Red Bulls — although he couldn't announce which company, Manning admitted that there will be a naming rights partner for the new stadium before the opening kickoff — things have been rolling right along for the president.

"We've added several new sponsors, have all of the suites that we are going to sell, sold, and are working on getting the rest of the season tickets sold," Manning said. "I would say things are moving along exactly how we would like. I wouldn't have been willing to come into this organization if I didn't think there was some real potential and viability. Real Salt Lake is going to be fine."

Like his role in both the community and with the organization, it is a partnership that feels the same on both sides.

"What Bill is doing for us is instrumental in making Real Salt Lake a real asset to the community,' Checketts said. "We hope that he is going to be the RSL president for a very long time."

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E-mail: mblack@desnews.com