Reader comments
Grand opening, but ... Real Salt Lake fails to make up ground in MLS playoff push

I really do not have nothing against Soccer catching on in the United States. We will have to import overseas players, much like Europe did with Basketball their best teams play at about the level of the CBA (clearly not NBA but clearly not bad either.

I am a true fan of AAA Baseball, and when I lived on the west coast I attended many games. Seattle (way back) Tacoma, Phoenix, Portland and Las Vegas.

In order to be successful in America they are going to have to find a way to score more points. Different ways and different amounts like Basketball and Football. Right now it is just to slow and boring for most Americans. However it should not be a glut of points like Arena Football, where scoring a Touchdown becomes boring. I have only see the sport on TV so it may be different in person.

I think Team Handball would go good in America both men and women or mixed. It is a sport short quick people can play. I thought it was the neatest event of the Summer Games.

Remember that a good ticket is a cheap ticket, along with fairly priced snacks.

I'm still ticked that public money was used to construct this future "flee market" site.

Great read, Mr. Edwards, but NYRB's record against RSL is 2-0-6, not 6-0-2. It's a big difference to always draw against a team than to always lose. Nevertheless, you are right, RSL has yet to beat NY. It definitely looked like a nervous bunch out there last night and I can only imagine what a player like Andy Williams might have contributed as a veteran to calm things down and make better passes out of the midfield.

What the....?

"It took a special moment from Clint Mathis to help change everything...Mathis made a spectacular switch-the-field pass with the outside of his foot..."

What is this?

Is that like a dunk in basketball? Or a home run in baseball? Or a TD in football? Or is it at least like watching the paint dry on the new stadium?

I think not.

Either this writer stunk at explaining this "awesome" play, or adults playing soccer is just boring!

Leave soccer to the youngsters to keep them fit and then let them move on to a "real" sport. (no pun intended)

The stadium is great, but the play was a little sloppy on both sides last night. NY sure was physical. At least RSL pulled off a point. I wish it could have been three, they really need more than draws if they hope to make the playoffs. I though beckerman looked good in the middle. Johnson seemed the most nervous of the bunch.
Hopefully when Dallas comes in next week they can pull off the victory.
GO REAL!

Sell out crowd? It was announced as such, but when I saw the game on TV there were tons and tons of empty seats. What a disappointment. First game in a new stadium and they can fill the place. Big Mistake.

What game were you watching? I saw the whole game on ESPN 2 and there were no empty seats in the whole place. People wearing red shirts are not empty seats. While the soccer could have been better the opening went well and RSL has a great future.

You soccer haters, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT "SOCCER" OR REAL "FOOTBALL" IS THE KING SPORT IN THE WORLD!!!

WE PLAY "FOOTBALL" EVERYWHRE, YOU SHOULD SEE THE REAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, IT IS NOT LIKE THE SPORTS IN USA, WHEN SOMEBODY WINS SOMETHING HERE IN US, YOU SAY WORLD CHAMPION....HAHAHAHA "WORLD" WITHOUT ANY OTHER COUNTRY...USA ONLY!!!

GO REAL, GO SOCCER...GO REAL FOOTBALL!!!

And you and I are paying for this! With a lousy team anyway! Lets face it, SLC is not a soccer town, and I wish Mayor calhoon who tried to save us the tax dollars would run for governor. If its here "they won;t come"--I'd like to know who could afford the tickets!

I was at the game there were some seats in the upper end of the south end zone that were not filled, but of the reset of the stadium was packed. I think the stadium was at least as good as investing as what I did with my 401K which I put in the stock market or the 17% social security I involuntarily paid the last 30 years. Predicting the value of the investment the government made in this stadium seems a little mute right now.

People use the restrooms and go to the concession stands.

You obviously do since you read the article and took the time to comment on it.

When you go to a game you never go to the concession stands or have to take your kid to the bathroom I suppose? The place was packed, just because everyone was'nt in their seat every moment of the game does'nt mean the attendance was poor.

Why are so many bloggers so intent on hating Real? I don't think people would be reacting this way if you did'nt see soccer as some kind of threat. Are you afraid that Real will be more popular than Jazz basketball, or BYU football, and so you have to run out to the blog pages and write hatefull messages?

It is truly a shame that Espindola was'nt available for this game. I think things would have turned out better with the Espi Deuchar combo to start the game.

Sell out Crowd? I agree. Checketts sells tickets, gives away tickets and hence there are no tickets left so it is a "sellout." It is another thing to have everyone show up. I was more like 20,000 tickets "sold" and 12,000 (or less) actually showed up. Likely most at the game actually paid for tickets and not very many of the freebies showed up (except the public officials who likely picked up freebies, especially those that got the deal done.)

I was there, upper deck, great game. I love the new stadium - it seemed every seat had a great view of the action.

There were plenty of empty seats throughout the stadium, maybe 5-10%. I think the cold wind may have helped keep people away.

Can't wait until next year's summer games!

What a pitiful life you live and deluded, to have to sit and rip on soccer. No matter how you look at it soccer is the biggest sport in the world. All sports have their advantages but the simplest fact is that you enjoy the ones you understand the best.

As far as the crowd goes it needs to be known that there were a few empty seats but I think a lot of that was people who can afford to buy tickets but not show up and not worry about giving them away. I was at the game with two of my kids that is four seats that I did not pay for but people gave me their tickets to use.

Congratulations on your new stadium! It looks beautiful and the people of Salt Lake could feel happy with such a nice venue.

Can't wait for next next week's game. Too bad the second game in the new stadium will be a loss to FC Dallas :) Go FC Dallas! This is our chance to secure a playoff spot!

"tons and tons of empty seats?"

The place was packed.

I think you are reporting your wishes as if they really happened.

The only "Big Mistake" was your, shall we say, somewhat less than accurate post.

Great Opener! Only a win would have made it better but "koodos" to the organization for delivering us a World Class Venue. It looked great on T.V.