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Real Salt Lake nets exhibition draw

joining the haters | 5:00 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

Headline: meaningless late-season friendly leads to two injuries, distracts from another losing season

disgusted | 5:04 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

this was crass commercialism disguised as a sporting event; much of the game was about two frustrated teams kicking each other so Checketts et al could cash in

S2 | 7:48 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

The negativity of the posts confuses me. Are you soccer fans? Did you or your kids get to see some talented soccer players in action and in person? Did they play the whole 90 minutes, or cancel it part way through, refusing you a refund?

They play for their love of the game and to provide for their needs. Mr Checketts, et al arrange the entertainment. Were you entertained? Or must there always be a decided champion, a victor and a loser? It is a business, with people taking risk, people working hard. What exactly are your qualms?

Or it there some political indigestion you are illogically taking out on a sporting event?

Seems finding a life, or getting one in order would be a good idea.

Comments continue below

Nussdorfer AC | 8:17 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

I was a very enjoyable game. The atmosphere was great and it was a great night for soccer.

Royals Fan | 8:24 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

Terrific event! Loved every minute of it. The only negative was the lack of RSL fans -- especially in seats normally occupied by season ticket holders. My friends and I were the only RSL fans in our section, but we cheered loudly had a great time.

Awesome | 10:16 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

I never knew I could make that many Chivas supporters so mad. Yep, that was me, taunting Chivas fans from the front row. Awesome! I loved the event and hope they bring in Chivas G every year!

PS: Sports entertainment is about making money. Right? Right!

YesFan | 10:19 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

Yes...I am a soccer fan. Love it at every level. Season ticket holder for Real. But I am not sure that means I have to believe in Checketts. Every time he is in the state, I hold on to my wallet. The string of broken (or simply forgotten?) promises is getting pretty long. I truly appreciate an MLS franchise being part of Utah. But I believe the Real owner has played the state, elected officials, and a small but loyal fan base like a violin.

hmm... | 11:10 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

I was a season ticket holder the first season RSL was here. due to some personal economic reasons, I was unable to renew my tickets but still attended several games a year. Due to some health problems, I have been unable to attend a game in the new stadium until last night, and I have to say it was great and made me want to get season tickets again. However, I learned from several stadium staff members that games like Chivas were not included in the season ticket packages. That,compared with the safety issues (a flare gun made it in!? and was fired several times!?) convinced menot t buy season tickets.

Huh? | 11:16 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

This was a meaningless match?

Try telling the 16,000 who paid to attend. Try telling the players who got very feisty. Try telling the community who had a significant international event to enjoy.

Oh, that's right. This wasn't MOR enough for you!

Too much variety and diversity can be hard to take. Best not travel out of state then.

Come On | 11:53 a.m. Oct. 8, 2009

Checketts is not that different that any other owner out there of sports or any other business. The Chivas friendly was a exhibition, glad to have seen it.

Though next season and beyond, I want ALL friendlies to be included in our Season Ticket packages, don't feel like forking over more money this time of year outside of Playoffs.

Chadders | 12:25 p.m. Oct. 8, 2009

I hope Kreis was serious about people earning their spots for the last few games. Seitz allowed 0 goals Rimando allowed 1. Start Seitz!!!!!!!!!!
Rimando has taken us as far as he can it is time to move past him or I'm afraid we will lose Seitz and regret it greatly.

J Crunch | 1:17 p.m. Oct. 8, 2009

Chadders,

Did you see the replay of Chivas' goal? I wasn't there, but saw the highlights on the MLS website. That goal was NOT Rimando's fault. It was on Beltran or Findley, who lost their mark. Seitz had 0 shots fired at him. You or I would have ended up allowing 0 goals in the first half. I like Seitz too, but your statistic for goals allowed in the game has no relevance.

Chadders | 3:56 p.m. Oct. 8, 2009

I actually saw from the first until a little after the goal was scored. It wasn't his fault the shot was fired but it was Rimando's fault he pretty much can't stop any well hit shot towards the top. Seitz absolutely would have stopped that goal. Rimando doesn't do a very good job yelling to the guys right in front of him where Nick needs them. Chris does and it works out a lot better. Seitz didn't have 0 shots fired at him. There were 0 shots on goal. He did have to do some work to keep Chivas from having chances. He has to get at least some credit for keeping the defense organized.
Look at the top keepers in the world? They are all at least 6'1 or taller. Not a single one is 5'7 like Rimando. It is just a fact. He has helped us in some games but it's time to move on.

Re: Chadders | 4:36 p.m. Oct. 8, 2009

Yes, the goalkeeper needs to organize in front of him, but NO WAY does Seitz stop that shot. There isn't a keeper in the world that could have done anything about that strike. And no, Seitz didn't have a single shot taken against him, not just on goal, but even taken. I looked at the stat sheet if you don't believe me. The first shot TAKEN by Chivas was the goal. Not just the first shot on goal, the FIRST shot. And by the way, the 2008 goalkeeper of the year is Iker Casillas, and he is 6'0", so no, once again what you stated is not a fact. All that being said, I still think Real would be better off trading Rimando for some type of value and starting Seitz next year.

Re: Hmmmm | 4:57 p.m. Oct. 8, 2009

Wait, you won't buy season tickets because of a flare gun? You truely are NOT a soccer fan!

Undefeated | 5:17 p.m. Oct. 8, 2009

Hey we're still unbeaten against mexican league teams. Woohoo!

Now enough mexican league teams... Lets try to get some real teams from europe, most preferably english or scottish premier league teams. We got Real Madrid to come here and since then the best we have done is everton twice!

Next week we play NYRB and hopefully we can beat them for the first time. I'll be there

+1 | 8:55 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

to the Seitz argument.

Thanks for your time Rimando....but I'm ready to move on.

Chadders (from ESPN) | 11:58 a.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Team///Name///Height
Manchester United///Edwin vander Sar///6'5
Chelsea///Petr Cech///6'5
Everton///Tim Howard///6'3
Arsenal///Manuel Almunia///6'4
Liverpool///Pepe Reina///6'1
Barcelona///Victor Valdes///6'2
Real Madrid///Iker Casilas///6'1
Sevilla FC///Andres Palop///6'1
Deportiva deCoruna///Daniel Aranzubia///6'1
Internazionale///Julio Cesar///6'1
Juventus///Gianluigi Buffon///6'3
AC Milan///marco Storari///6'2
Bayer Leverkusen///Rene Adler///6'3
Hamburg SV///Frank Rost///6'4
Schalke 04///Manuel neuer///6'3
Lyon///Hugo Lloris///6'1
Bordeaux///Cedric Carrasso///6'3
Marseille///Steve Mandanda///6'1
Columbus///Will Hesmer///6'1
Houston///Pat Onstead///6'4
Seattle///Kasey Keller///6'1
Chivas USA///Zach Thornton///6'3

I will post again with the heigths according to ESPN of most keepers that look to be playing at the world cup next year.

Chadders | 12:06 p.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Here's most of the keepers that are heading to the WC next year:

Team///Name///Height
England National Team///Robert Green///6'3
Spain National Team///Iker Casillas///6'1
Italy National Team///Gianluigi Buffon///6'1
Germany National Team///Rene Adler///6'3
France National Team///Hugo Lloris///6'1
Mexico National Team///Francisco Ochoa///6'1
Cameroon National Team///Carlos Karmeni///6'1
Tunisia National Team///Hamdi Kasraoui///6'4
Ghana National Team///Richard Kingson///6'3
***Ivory Coast National Team///Barry Copa///5'11***
***Netherlands National Team///Maarten Stekelenburg///5'11***
Serbia National Team///Vladimir Stojkovic///6'5
Switzerland National Team///Diego Benaglio///6'4
Denmark National Team///Thomas Sorensen///6'5
Argentina National Team///Mariano Andujar///6'4
Brazil National Team///Julio Cesar///6'1
Australia National Team///Adam Federici///6'1
United States National Team///Tim Howard///6'3

I'll go out on a limb and say that whoever wins the World Cup next year will have a keeper 6'1 or taller. I would also say who ever wins the UEFA champions league and the next Euro Cup will have a keeper 6'1 or taller.

Yup... | 1:16 p.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Nicky is short.

He has been great for us, and I like him. But all things come to an end. Bring on Seitz, he is ready.

$0.02 | 1:43 p.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Rimando is the better keeper. Seitz has the better keeper frame. Can we genetically combine the two and stop this argument?

How Exciting! | 3:42 p.m. Oct. 9, 2009

Wow, 1-1? Sometimes I think I should turn off C-SPAN and go to a soccer game...then I remember how exciting C-SPAN is and I stay put.

todd from santa ana "a break" | 12:01 a.m. Oct. 11, 2009

First of all, I am livid as most of you that great USA win over HONDURAS was not on free TV> or even Cable... I monitored the 90 min online, a great comeback win and congrats to our national team who makes it again to World CUP!!

Let me give some good news here on REAL.

While REAL has been off, some teams directly in front of us in the fight for playoff spots have dropped unexpected points.

Tonight: Columbus beats New England at New England, and San Jose gets big point in Toronto.

As a result, now we have one game in hand on #8 place New England. They still have 38 points, Toronto, DC and oncoming Dallas all 36 points and we have 34.

2 possibilities have now opened up based on the last 2 weeks results:

1) there is a good chance instead of needing 3 wins, 2 home wins and draw at Toronto might be enough based on tiebreaker to make the top 8.

2) Even decent chance could win 2 games home, lose at Toronto and still make it with 40 pts based other results.

Hope still here

Pleased | 11:01 a.m. Oct. 12, 2009

I'm glad I was able to attend the game against Chivas. The crowd was definitely pro-Chivas, but that is part of the reason it was so exciting. It is clear to me that the front office is trying to win over some of the Latino population in the area so that they will come to regular season games. I don't mind that I had to pay extra for this game considering that I got tickets to the All-star game and Club America as part of my season ticket package. I would rather pay extra to see a team like Chivas than see a team like Santos Laguna as part of my season tickets. As for the flare gun comment, it was a roman candle and it's not the first time the Chivas supporters have done that. They did it last year for the playoff game against Chivas USA. The police were quick to escort the offender out of the stadium. This game probably wouldn't have been scheduled if it wasn't for the brilliant scheduling of the MLS. An 18-day layoff is too long.

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10 photos

Keith Johnson, Deseret News

Real Salt Lake's Edgar Solie, left, gets slide-tackled by CD Guadalajara's Ramon Morales during their friendly match at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy Wednesday. The teams played to a 1-1 tie.

Gallery (10 photos)