Cila: Good riddance to Rapids

By his own estimation, Jordan Cila should be playing in Real Salt Lake's home-opener Saturday — but as a member of the Colorado Rapids, not RSL.

You see, Cila enjoyed an impressive rookie season with the Rapids last year scoring four goals and adding two assists, and naturally believed he had a future with the team. But heading into training camp this year, Cila took it as a slap in the face when the Rapids informed him they weren't promoting him to a senior roster contract, instead keeping him as a developmental player.

"So I went into preseason with a bitter taste. But I went in saying I'll go and play like I did last year, and whatever happens, happens," said Cila. "And it started to become more clear, no matter how I played they weren't going to promote me to that roster spot."

That's when Cila made a phone call to Salt Lake coach John Ellinger, his former coach with the under-17 U.S. National Team, and expressed his interest in joining the expansion franchise on the other side of the Rocky Mountains.

"I'll play developmental anywhere, but not at a place where I've proven I can be a top player," said Cila.

Salt Lake gladly traded a 2007 second-round pick to Colorado in exchange for Cila, and now just two months after opening training camp in the blue and green of the Rapids, he's ready to face his ex-teammates in the Claret Red and Cobalt Blue of Real.

"It's always fun going against guys you used to play with," said Cila, who turned 23 on Monday. "Obviously I want to win and show them I'm on a better team now."

Cila won't be starting for Real Salt Lake Saturday at 1 p.m., but because of the injury to Clint Mathis, he'll probably be on the bench as a substitute. Whether he gets into the senior game or not, he'll likely start in the reserve league game which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. as part of the opening-day doubleheader.

"I know from my experience last year, I'm going to get my opportunity, and I just have to do well with it," said Cila.

A DONE DEAL, FINALLY: RSL general manager Steve Pastorino confirmed Wednesday that after negotiating with the Atlanta Silverbacks of the A-League for weeks to try and acquire Leslie Fitzpatrick, a Trinidad & Tobago National Teamer, the deal finally went through.

He's expected to be in uniform for today's practice, and might even be available as a substitute for Saturday's game.

Fitzpatrick's strength is at left midfield, a position Salt Lake has been searching to fill ever since Costa Rican international Pablo Brenes left the team three weeks into training camp to return to his native Costa Rica.

The transaction leaves Salt Lake with one empty roster spot, but Ellinger said the club is actively negotiating to sign another left-sided player.

OPENING TICKETS: Tickets are still available for Saturday's home opener. Fans are being encouraged to buy tickets prior to Saturday to avoid long lines at the ticket office.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 581-UTIX, by visiting the Rice- Eccles Stadium ticket office or by logging onto www.utahtickets.com.

---

E-mail: jedward@desnews.com