Real Salt Lake gets its 'Field of Dreams'

Chuck: Just when Utah was about to be red-carded for letting professional soccer bolt the state, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. morphed into Kevin Costner and helped the Legislature have a "Field of Dreams" epiphany to assure that RSL won't stand for Real St. Louis.

I have to give the boys and girls on The Hill credit for being tough negotiators, too. Because after pledging to soak unwitting tourists and conventioneers for $35 million to seal Real's new stadium deal, they refused owner Dave Checketts' other demand to rework the state's slogan to say "Soccer Elevated."

Amy: Let's be clear about the money situation. As I understand it, $20 million was already committed to the parking structure. So we're talking about an additional $15 million to buy the land to build the stadium on. With all that Real has promised, including more than $7 million in youth soccer programs, fields and camps, I just cannot fathom why this was even a difficult decision.

The government gives tax breaks and sometimes tax money to privately funded projects and companies ALL THE TIME without the weeping and wailing this provoked.

Chuck: Don't forget I'm a recovering soccer basher — every day is one more day of sobriety from soccer stereotyping. But after clipping my 17-year-old resident soccer nut for five bucks on last week's USA-Mexico soccer match, I might finally be warming to the sport.

Although for the love of Pele, will somebody tell them they need to score more goals? It's like watching an NFL game being quarterbacked by Rex Grossman AND Kyle Orton.

Amy: As much as I love soccer and this deal, I can't hide my disappointment at the posturing politicians and defensive attitude of Real brass.

Fewer temper tantrums and a little more personality, please.

Chuck: Checketts' tailored suits aside, I'm having trouble seeing him as anything other than the mutt who follows you home and then outlasts your better judgment until eventually he lays claim to prime real estate on your bed at night.

But I don't begrudge Rover. Rather, I salute his tenacity.

Amy: Checketts is nobody's lapdog. He's a visionary businessman who needs some serious public relations advice.

When he made himself available, he came across as an insightful, hard-working guy who loves sports and knows there are benefits to a community that go beyond ticket sales.