Manning said he expects Real Salt Lake to continue scheduling international friendlies, but acknowledges it will be increasingly tougher to schedule European super clubs anytime soon.

In 2006, Real Salt Lake hosted Real Madrid in front of 45,511 fans at Rice-Eccles Stadium with an average ticket price of roughly $75. Now in a stadium less than half that size, ticket prices would likely average $200 if Real Madrid were to make a return to Salt Lake City.

"As we evolve as an organization, we really have to look at if these games make sense to bring over a big-name European club but lose your shirt," said Manning.

Real Madrid was tentatively scheduled to make a visit to Utah last summer, but both parties agreed to postpone the match when Real Madrid's appearance fee simply became too expensive.

With Real Madrid's recent signing of global superstars Christiano Ronaldo and Kaka, that appearance fee in 2010 and beyond could become astronomical. At the end of the day, how many fans would be willing to pay upwards of $250 for a ticket to a meaningless exhibition match?

Only time will tell if Real Madrid ever makes another appearance in Utah. For now, Real Salt Lake will happily channel its efforts into more regionalized and profitable exhibition games to continue delivering on its promise to season-ticket holders.

E-mail: jedward@desnews.com