Real Salt Lake: Things have changed a lot since '05 opener

Analysis: If you're a soccer player, you want to play on grass, and RSL will get a gorgeous grass pitch to play on inside Rio Tinto Stadium. The RSL players will go from having one of the worst — if not the worst — surfaces in MLS to having one of its best — if not the best.

THE ATMOSPHERE

2005: Over 25,000 fans turned up at Rice-Eccles Stadium to witness opening day and provided a good atmosphere from start to finish.

2008: RSL officials expect a sell-out at Rio Tinto Stadium, which holds approximately 20,000 fans, and if those people are given something to cheer about, expect them to be extremely noisy.

Analysis: Opening day four years ago produced an excellent crowd, but expect an even better one in '08. For one thing, the acoustics of Rio Tinto Stadium will trap and reflect noise, essentially amplifying all sounds. If the fans get going, it's going to be loud. And remember all those empty seats in cavernous Rice-Eccles Stadium? Yeah, Rio Tinto will be packed to capacity on Thursday, and that will undoubtedly make for a better atmosphere.