Real Salt Lake Weekly Update

After bouncing the defending champion Columbus Crew from the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs, Real Salt Lake now has just one game in its way en route to a first-ever MLS Cup appearance - this Saturday's MLS Eastern Conference Championship contest against the Chicago Fire. The match-up between last year's conference final runners-up will take place at Toyota Park in suburban Bridgeview, Ill., this Saturday, November 14, with kickoff set for 6:00 p.m. MT, preceded by Fox Soccer Channel's pre-game coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. The match will also be aired live over the radio airwaves on KACP 570-AM (English) (America First Credit Union First Kick pre-game coverage begins at 5:00 p.m.) and ESPN Deportes 1600-AM (Spanish).

Real Salt Lake will be appearing in its second straight MLS Conference Championship contest when it travels to Chicagoland this weekend, and will try to erase the bitter taste of last year's 0-1 defeat to the New York Red Bulls in the Western Conference Championship. Saturday's fight for a berth to MLS Cup will mark the third meeting this season between RSL and the Fire - and their first-ever postseason matchup. The first match in 2009 between the two sides came on August 1, when the Fire used a 76th minute goal by FW Patrick Nyarko to post a 1-0 win at Toyota Park. RSL's home leg at Rio Tinto Stadium on September 12 ended in a 1-1 draw, with DF Jamison Olave's 72nd minute goal countering Fire FW Chris Rolfe's tally at the end of the first half and giving the Claret-and-Cobalt a much-needed point in its postseason chase. Real Salt Lake's 1-5-4 all-time regular season ledger against the Fire - including an 0-2-3 mark in the Windy City - is not the type of history the Claret-and-Cobalt would like to dwell on, the Utah side instead preferring to focus on its 3-1-1 career record in MLS postseason play, compiled entirely across the last two seasons.

Saturday's Eastern Conference Championship Watch Party at "Club Real" SOLD OUT!

Real Salt Lake has announced that this Saturday's Official RSL Watch Party for the Eastern Conference Championship, taking place at the stadium's 2nd-floor "Club Real" presented by Budweiser, has already sold out. However, fans are asked to keep checking in at www.RealSaltLake.com and the team's "Behind the Shield" blog, located at www.RSLtotheCore.com, throughout the week, as the organization is looking at options to open up more tickets due to the overwhelming demand. For those that have acquired their $20 tickets to the event, doors on Saturday evening open at 5:30 p.m. MT, which is when access to an all-you-can-eat buffet and unlimited Pepsi products and FIJI water will begin leading up to the 6:00 p.m. kickoff from Toyota Park.

Vote Nick Rimando for 2009 Degree Men Save of the Year...

Real Salt Lake GK Nick Rimando is known for his reaction saves, but it was his anticipation that helped him garner a nod as one of 40 candidates for the 2009 Degree Men Save of the Year award. Rimando's nomination for the year-end honor came back in Week 19 against FC Dallas striker Jeff Cunningham, when the RSL backstop dove low to his left post to thwart his former teammate's penalty kick attempt, keeping the score level at 2-2 in the 71st minute of an eventual 4-2 RSL victory. To place your vote for Rimando, head over to www.RealSaltLake.com and click on the "Degree Men Save of the Year " banner by the end of Tuesday evening. The candidates will be narrowed down to 10 finalists this Wednesday, Nov. 11, when fan voting will begin anew leading up to the naming of the winner on Nov. 18.

... and Robbie Findley & Clint Mathis for AT&T Goal of the Year Award!

Joining Rimando in the running for one the League's end-of-the-season accolades are teammates FW Robbie Findley and M/F Clint Mathis, as the RSL duo are among the 40 candidates for the 2009 AT&T Goal of the Year honor. Mathis' laser-like side-volley off a corner kick in a Week 6 drubbing of New England will be a front-runner for the award, but Findley's up-and-over finish against Colorado in the regular season finale will also give voters some serious thought. Fans helped MF Will Johnson claim the award last season, so those that want to help keep the Goal of the Year honor in RSL's grasp are asked to head over to www.RealSaltLake.com and click on the "AT&T Goal of the Year " banner by this Wednesday, Nov. 11, when the 10 finalists will be announced and a new round of voting will begin in advance of the Nov. 18 announcement of this season's winner.

Assistant Coach Robin Fraser among 24 Finalists on Player Ballot for Soccer National Hall of Fame

The National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum has distributed the 2010 Player Ballot, with this year's ballot of former standout players including RSL Assistant Coach Robin Fraser. After beginning his professional career with six consecutive All-Star seasons with the Colorado Foxes of the American Pro Soccer League, Fraser would move on to a 10-year career in Major League Soccer, spent between the Los Angeles Galaxy, Colorado Rapids, and Columbus Crew. Fraser would become known as one of the most talented and respected defenders in the League's first decade, finishing his illustrious career with 260 games played and 256 games started - both ranking in the League's career top-ten upon his retirement. Fraser also earned numerous individual accolades, including a pair of MLS Defender of the Year awards in 1999 and 2004, as well as five nods to both the MLS Best XI and MLS All-Star teams (1996, 1998-2000 & 2004). In addition, Fraser would represent the United States 27 times at the senior level, including one "cap" in World Cup Qualifying play in 2000.

This year's Player Ballot features 24 retired national team and professional players who all have contributed to the growth of soccer in the United States. Voters in the player election include selected members of the media, Hall of Famers, past and present U.S. Men's and Women's National Team coaches, MLS and WPS coaches of four or more years tenure, and a select group of soccer administrators. The results of this year's vote will be announced in early 2010.

Halfway to MLS Cup Means Half Off Everything at the RSL Team Store!

Real Salt Lake is once again vying to drink the sweet juice that comes from the illustrious MLS Cup... and during this year's playoff run, the RSL Team Store at Rio Tinto Stadium wants everyone to wear their Claret-and-Cobalt proudly in support! To assist RSL Nation in that effort, for the duration of the squad's postseason dash the RSL Team Store is having a colossal sale - 50% off all things Real Salt Lake! That's right, anything and everything at the RSL Team Store will be half off for as long as RSL is in the MLS Cup Playoffs. To take advantage of the store's playoff deal and to see the full range of RSL gear, drop by the RSL Team Store during regular business hours: Monday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. MT. For more information on the Real Salt Lake Team Store call the RSL Merchandise Hotline at 801-727-2888.

Don't Wait 'til Next Year... 2010 Real Salt Lake Season Ticket Packages on Sale Now!

Real Salt Lake has unveiled its 2010 Season Ticket Package, and whether you're an RSL "Fan for Life" or are looking to purchase season seats for the first time, Real Salt Lake has what you are looking for! Prices for 2010 RSL Season Tickets will offer at least a 20% discount over day-of-game pricing in all general seating areas, with packages starting as low as $275. The 2010 RSL Season Ticket Package will include tickets to 15 MLS regular season contests and five (5) ticket voucher credits for designated exhibition and cup competitions in addition to numerous additional benefits, including:

* Discounted rates on on-site parking at Rio Tinto Stadium

* 25% off all items at the RSL Team Store

* An invitation to the annual "Meet the Team Day" event

* The annual Season Ticket Holder gift (TBD)

* Pre-sale access for all non-RSL events at Rio Tinto Stadium

* Season Ticket Holder rate on additional RSL tickets

* Personal Account Manager Concierge Service and STH Hotline access

* Special Season Ticket e-Newsletter, featuring exclusive team-focused content

Fans looking to purchase new RSL Season Ticket packages can call 801-727-2700 to lock in their seats for the Claret-and-Cobalt's sixth MLS season. To see the full range of 2010 Season Ticket package options and benefits, click here or visit www.RealSaltLake.com or www.RioTintoStadium.com.

Real Salt Lake Schedule: November 11-14, 2009 (all times MT unless noted)

Saturday, November 14: 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs - Eastern Conference Championship: Real Salt Lake @ Chicago Fire

* Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. - 6:00 p.m. MT kickoff

* TV: Fox Soccer Channel (MLS on FSC pre-game coverage begins at 5:30 p.m.)

* Radio: KACP 570-AM (America First Credit Union First Kick pre-game coverage begins at 5:00 p.m.) & ESPN Deportes 1600-AM

Follow Real Salt Lake through the MLS Cup Playoffs on Your Favorite Social Networking Sites!

Real Salt Lake is one step closer to its first trip to MLS Cup, and you can keep up-to-date on the Utah side's continuing run through the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs via Twitter, Facebook and TXTwire text messaging, where fans can get all the behind-the-scenes news and insider scoop on their favorite MLS side. To follow along with future guest Tweeters and receive exclusive scoops, specials, and promotions on Twitter, Facebook and TXTwire, click on the following links to sign up:

Official Real Salt Lake Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/realsaltlake

Click here for the Official Real Salt Lake Facebook page

Real Salt Lake TXTwire sign-up page: http://www.riotintostadium.com/mobile_alerts.php

Rio Tinto Stadium Calendar: Top of the Mountains Bowl Classic Added to Stadium's Winter Schedule

Rio Tinto Stadium's winter calendar was bolstered yesterday, when the stadium and Snow College announced that the state-of-the-art venue in Sandy will play host to the annual Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl through December 2012. This year's edition, the Sixth Annual Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl, kicks off on Saturday, December 5 at 12:00 noon MT. Tickets are now available to this game, with Real Salt Lake season ticket holders receiving an exclusive discount to this event. Fans can purchase tickets Mon. - Fri. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office, or through either the www.RioTintoStadium.com and www.TopoftheMountainsBowl.com web sites.

In addition, ISOC Racing's AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series, the nation's premier Snocross racing circuit, recently announced that Rio Tinto Stadium will host the Western Nationals on Saturday, January 9, 2010. The first-time event is one of nine Nationals on the 2009-2010 schedule and the only one west of the Mississippi. The day-long, open-air event culminates with the Main Event, starting at 7:00 p.m. MT and featuring Pro and Semi-Pro racing, freestyle shows and other finals from the day's qualifying racing. Tickets, pre-sale details and other event information will be posted online at www.RioTintoStadium.com as it becomes available.

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.