Real Salt Lake: RSL wants friendly success
SANDY — Since its inception, Real Salt Lake has strived to provide a variety of soccer to its fans by hosting exhibition games against clubs from around the world. Nine teams from three different continents have journeyed to Utah through the years, with that number jumping to 10 this weekend when RSL hosts Club America out of Mexico.
Interestingly enough, this weekend's match might be the first that makes sense on all fronts. With a near sell-out crowd expected, Real Salt Lake figures to turn a profit at Rio Tinto Stadium with a concept that has often been unsuccessful on and off the field.
RSL's record in nine exhibition games against foreign clubs through the years stands at 3-4-2. All of those matches were played at Rice-Eccles Stadium and, despite decent crowds, the home team usually lost money.
"The international games in the past have never been money-makers for the team," said RSL president Bill Manning.
With the team now in its own stadium, Manning says the landscape and purpose of these exhibition games has changed.
"As we've come into our own stadium and our business has really adjusted with the new stadium, these games will actually turn into financial benefits for us," said Manning.
It's hard to imagine one of the most popular clubs from Mexico not being profitable. When it comes to the Western Hemisphere, Manning believes Club America is as big as it gets, ranking right up there with Chivas or Boca Juniors.
As much as a state-of-the-art venue will help exhibition games become profitable, a more intelligent scheduling approach should make a huge difference also.
Realistically, from 2005-08, Real Salt Lake bit off more than it could chew. Its season-ticket packages most years consisted of 20 to 21 games, and with only 15 to 16 league games, it forced the front office to come up with multiple exhibition games per season.
With such precious few open dates on the MLS calendar, its only choice to fulfill ticket commitments was by scheduling midweek games.
Of the nine friendlies, only two were played on Saturdays. More than its impact on attendance, the midweek games wreaked havoc with Real Salt Lake's line-ups.
Many exhibition games through the years have been sandwiched between weekend league games. It has forced the coaching staffs to prioritize between the league and meaningless friendlies, which by definition is an easy decision.
Unfortunately for RSL, it often leads to bad first impressions.
"We need to get the guys out there that the fans know, that are our starters," said Manning. "I think it's much better for us to put our best foot forward."
Recent comments
what channel do america an real salt lake play
leonel | July 11, 2009 at 7:05 p.m.
I'm glad for the verification. I wasn't meaning anything bad against...
Chris | July 9, 2009 at 10:58 a.m.
La Barra Real will not change it's jerseys. You cannot wear another...
Chris | July 9, 2009 at 7:31 a.m.
- Iraq electoral law passes 3:39 p.m.
- Memorial at site of Cleveland killings 3:35 p.m.
- Chavez to troops: Prepare for war 3:34 p.m.
- Suspect in Vail shooting faces charge 3:31 p.m.
- TCU moves into 4th place in BCS 3:16 p.m.
- Alcohol suspected in Roy shooting 2:36 p.m.
- Chaplain seeks prayers for meaning 2:36 p.m.
- La. Gov. declares state of emergency 2:34 p.m.
- 'SuperFreakonomics' just as fun 1:42 p.m.
- Beck is the new Oprah for thrillers 1:34 p.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
213 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - House passes health care bill
183 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
146 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
112 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
98
Here are a few leftovers from Beckerman from the "5 questions" interview.
It's almost tip time at the Spectrum as Utah State prepares to take on...
Again, why can't the left understand that WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS! Why can't...
Danica is absolutely amazing!! And so is Mckell. They played so good! Do they...
One Vote??? This sounds a bit dirty to me...the odds are virtually...
There's no such thing as a RINO anymore because all the Republican Party...
Hmm... the Dixie golf state champ and the SC volleyball state champ live in...
Look for a real solution. Taking water from a desert is insane! What...
.....tell this sub was gonna sink? Why do you think he bailed out!
Network engineer. Absolutely brilliant, he did not learn his skills in...
Why do you think Gordon Chiasa and Hot Rod Bailed out! This ship has been...
'However, contrary to what appears to be the opinion held by some here,...



