Real Salt Lake: Stadium will host more than just RSL

SANDY — There's no question that opening a new state-of-the-art stadium is already a major boon for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer circles.

RSL landed the 2009 MLS All-Star game because of its new digs and looks to be the envy of practically every MLS franchise by virtue of owning a stadium that compares favorably to the better ones in top European leagues.

But RSL also aims to use Rio Tinto Stadium as a means to continue to raise its stock locally by offering it as the new home to several local sporting events.

One place where the club has sought to make inroads is by hosting playoff games for different sports in the Utah High School Activities Association.

So far, those efforts have met with success. RSL and the UHSAA have agreed in principle to move playoff games for boys and girls soccer to the stadium starting next year.

"We want to bring those events in here," Real president Bill Manning said. "How I look at it is — any big soccer event in this town and in this state should be played here."

Under the agreement, which has not yet been finalized, the semifinal rounds and championship games for 3A through 5A would be held at Rio Tinto Stadium.

And 2A will also hold its boys soccer championship game there in the spring. The 2A semifinals will be at a different locale, however, since the statewide AP American history test will force 2A to hold its semifinal round in the evening at the same time as 3A.

UHSAA officials see Rio Tinto Stadium as a natural fit for playoff games because it fits several criteria they look at in selecting sites. It has enough seating, a PA system and restricted access points so they can charge admission.

Plus having an actual pro soccer stadium locally eliminates a host of concerns that crop up with other sites.

"Traditionalists like natural turf, and there are very few places here to go to (with) that," UHSAA executive director Dave Wilkey said.

RSL does not have its sights set on hosting soccer alone. The club is also working on a deal to draw 2A and 1A football playoff games to Rio Tinto Stadium before next season.

Securing those football games will not be easy. SUU already has an agreement in place with the UHSAA to host either 2A or 1A championship games on alternating years. Any hosting deal to play football games at Rio Tinto Stadium must be worked into such a rotation.

Another concern with hosting high school football would be wear and tear on the grass itself. The UHSAA moved the semifinals and finals for 3A and 5A to Rice-Eccles Stadium several years ago because the artificial turf holds up much better under extended usage.

Manning is not concerned because RSL has a grounds crew in place to keep the grass in playing shape. He also said that a moratorium will be put in effect at certain times each year to keep the field from getting overused.

"We don't want a field that is downtrodden in a beautiful stadium," Manning said. "We want a world-class field."

RSL has already drawn in a few events from elsewhere. The annual Top of the Mountains Bowl will move to Rio Tinto Stadium in December. A USA Rugby match will also be held there in November.

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E-mail: jcoon@desnews.com