Utah soccer fans to get their kicks

SANDY — Tonight's Major League Soccer All-Star Game will showcase the talent of the top professional soccer league in the United States against a top-tier team from Europe in Everton FC of the English Premier League.

It's also a chance for Utah to shine in the national and global spotlight.

"It's a religion over there (in Europe), and it really is a beautiful game," said Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts of soccer's popularity. "It's played by people in every country. … I think our All-Star Game actually matters in a lot of places. I think we'll be watched in a lot of places."

The beautiful, state-of-the-art Rio Tinto Stadium is just one of the things that will be on exhibit when the game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. With the game on ESPN2 and being broadcast in more than 150 countries, it's also a chance for fans in Utah to show their knowledge of the world's most popular sport.

"I think that the popularity has grown enough that people here really know their soccer," said Paul Black, a West Jordan resident and a Real Salt Lake season-ticket holder since the franchise's first season in 2005. "I grew up with the game since my father was from the Netherlands and loved it, but I know a lot of people that have only recently become true fans. I think all it takes is a little bit of knowledge and coming out to one of these games to really hook a person. Give the game a chance and it will take hold of you."

U.S. national team member and MLS All-Star Landon Donovan said the stadium and soccer fans in Utah are some of the best.

"It's beautiful and the crowd is great," Donovan said. "Salt Lake has always been good to us with the national team. I like the fans there. They're savvy and knowledgeable."

Part of the reason for a crowd with a high soccer IQ is the popularity of the sport with the youth. A soccer boon hit the state in the early 1980s, and many of those recreation and competition players are now the fan base and ticket buyers for RSL.

"My parents signed me up for soccer when I was, like, 7," said Dale Kessler of Layton, "and I would say that I have been a fan ever since. I love it, and now I am hoping that by being exposed to it so early, my kids will love it with me."

Besides just watching games, Kessler said he has placed his two older children — Weston, 8, and Landon, 5, — in leagues to play. They are two of an estimated 100,000 Utah youths playing soccer at some level now.