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Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Receives Prestigious "President's Award For Excellence" From The Salt Lake Chamber

February 11, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY / SALT LAKE CITY - On behalf of the entire Real Salt Lake organization, Founder/Co-Owner Dave Checketts, Co-Owner Dell Loy Hansen and Team President Bill Manning today accepted the Salt Lake Chamber's highest honor presented to an organization, the "President's Award for Excellence." RSL is just the third-ever recipient of the honor in the Salt Lake Chamber's 107-year history.

"New and emerging businesses are the lifeblood of Utah's economy," said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, Utah's longest-standing statewide business association. "Starting, running and growing a small business are significant challenges, and Real Salt Lake has accomplished so much in its first five years. The entire organization, from top to bottom, on the field and off, has demonstrated an ability to thrive, not only in times of economic challenge, but over the long haul. Their unwavering belief in their vision of what this team could become- and has become-serves as an inspiration for all of Utah."

The Salt Lake Chamber presented the "President's Award for Excellence" to Real Salt Lake at the Chamber's 107th Annual Meeting earlier today, with "Utah on the Move" serving as the theme of the 2010 Annual Meeting. Cementing its position as a significant part of the Utah sports landscape and the state's business community, Real Salt Lake enjoyed a spectacular first full season in 2009 at its Rio Tinto Stadium home. Highlights include:

* Winning MLS Cup 2009, Utah's first major-league professional championship in nearly 40 years * Hosting the 2009 MLS All-Star Game, with a sell-out crowd of 20,124 * Averaging 16,375 fans per game, ranking 5th out of 15 MLS teams * Hosting the U.S.A's 2-1 win over El Salvador in a World Cup Qualifier, before 19,066 spectators * Posting a league-best 9-1-5 home mark in 2009 * Setting a league-record +23 home goal differential (34 goals for / 11 goals allowed)

"I am excited to share this award with the entire Real Salt Lake family - ownership, management, staff, players, coaches and fans," said Dave Checketts, RSL Founder and Chairman of SCP Worldwide, co-Owner of Real Salt Lake. "This prestigious honor perfectly encapsulates how our belief and our spirit of togetherness allowed us to triumph and attain our goals. The wonderful thing is that this is just the beginning and we will continue to aspire to be the best, and redoubling our efforts going forward."

Off the field, Real Salt Lake and Rio Tinto Stadium have also quickly established a success story, earning accolades throughout the sports and entertainment business community for its ticket sales acumen, corporate partnership activation and broadcast quality. Milestones during the last two years include:

* Ticket sales revenue increase of 61%, ranking 5th overall among 15 MLS teams * An increase in sponsorship revenue of 160% from 2007 to 2009 * 12 of the top 20 gate receipt dates in RSL history coming since October, 2008 * Securing a 10-year naming rights partnership with Rio Tinto for the world-class venue in Sandy * Extending XanGo's original jersey sponsorship through 2013

"We are extremely proud to have such an astute organization as the Salt Lake Chamber recognize our success," said Bill Manning, President of both Real Salt Lake and Rio Tinto Stadium since arriving in Utah in April of 2008. "However, it is with great humility that we look to the Chamber for its continued leadership and guidance, and we remind our fans and partners that we remain a very young business, one with outstanding growth potential."

The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah's largest statewide business association and Utah's Business Leader. With roots that date back to 1887, the Chamber has been standing as the voice of business, supporting its members' success and championing community prosperity for over 100 years. The Chamber represents 5,700 businesses statewide and one in every three jobs in the Utah economy.

Real Salt Lake Head Coach Jason Kreis' team kicks off the year with four of its first five games away from home, a stretch which includes the 2010 opener on Fox Soccer Channel at San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 27 and then a second consecutive national TV appearance on Thursday, April 1 at Houston Dynamo in a game to be televised on ESPN2.

The team then returns to Utah on Saturday, April 10 for its 2010 Home Opener, marking the season's Rio Tinto Stadium debut. Kicking off at 7:00 p.m. MT, RSL hosts second-year squad Seattle Sounders FC during its lone April home game. The team's "Carnival Real" festivities on the East Lawn (bordering State Street) continue in 2010, opening two hours prior to kickoff on Opening Day and 60 minutes prior to kickoff for most other RSL games.

Real Salt Lake returns 12 of the 14 players who appeared in last November's MLS Cup 2009 victory in Seattle against Los Angeles, including Cup MVP Nick Rimando, Captain Kyle Beckerman and 2009 RSL Golden Boot winner Robbie Findley, each of whom departed Wednesday for the U.S. National Team's second camp of the year. RSL's 2009 Team MVP Nat Borchers returns, as does his partner in central defense, imposing Colombian DF Jamison Olave. Argentine playmaker Javier Morales and forward Fabían Espíndola return once again, as do DF Chris Wingert, fan-favorite Andy Williams (RSL's lone player remaining from the team's inaugural season) and DF Robbie Russell and MF Ned Grabavoy, each of whom converted game-winning penalty kicks in the 2009 Conference and League Finals. Young RSL stars on the rise back for 2010 include MF Will Johnson, DF Tony Beltran, FW Pablo Campos and MF Jean Alexandre.

The best way to ensure an up-close look at RSL's sixth MLS season - including opening night at Rio Tinto Stadium on April 10 against Seattle - is to become a Real Salt Lake Season Ticket holder. RSL Season Ticket packages for the club's second full season at its new Sandy home, Rio Tinto Stadium, start at just $275, with benefits including:

* Tickets to RSL's 15 MLS regular season games and 5 additional events (CCL, Open Cup, Int'l Friendlies, etc.; dates/times TBD) * First right of refusal for additional events taking place at Rio Tinto Stadium throughout 2010 * 25% off all merchandise purchased at the RSL Team Store at Rio Tinto Stadium * A group rate for any additional tickets to RSL matches * An invitation to the annual RSL Meet the Team event * Access to a Personal Account Service Manager * A free RSL gift (TBD)

For more information on tickets for 2010 Real Salt Lake contests at Rio Tinto Stadium, including how to secure RSL Season Tickets and discounts for groups of 20 or more, contact the RSL Front Office at 801-727-2702 or visit www.RioTintoStadium.com. Single-game tickets for the entire 2010 Real Salt Lake season go on sale on Monday, March 1. Also, new premium seating options will soon be unveiled for Rio Tinto Stadium's 2010 schedule, including MLS games, CONCACAF Champions League games and potential Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup or international friendly events.

Real Salt Lake's complete 2010 MLS regular-season schedule follows:

REAL SALT LAKE 2010 SCHEDULE

Day Date Matchup Time (MT) TV Note:

Sat. March 27 @ San Jose Earthquakes 7:00 FSC Title defense kicks off at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara

Thu. April 1 @ Houston Dynamo 7:00 ESPN2 '09 Champs square off against 2007/08 Cup-winning Dynamo

SAT. APRIL 10 SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 7:00 RSL to honor Cup-winning team at 2010 home opener

Sat. April 17 @ Los Angeles Galaxy 8:30 FSC First of two MLS Cup 2009 rematches

Sat. April 24 @ Columbus Crew 5:30 RSL returns to site of '09 MLS Cup Playoff glory

SAT. MAY 1 TORONTO FC 7:00 Leg one of first 3-game homestand since 2007

SAT. MAY 8 PHILADELPHIA UNION 7:00 Expansion Union make first-ever visit to Rio Tinto Stadium

THU. MAY 13 HOUSTON DYNAMO 7:00 ESPN2 Five of last six RSL-Dynamo clashes have seen red cards

Sat. May 22 @ Chivas USA 8:30 Return to site of first road win in 2009

Mon. May 24 CONCACAF Champions League 2010/11 Group Draw - CONCACAF HQ - New York City

SAT. MAY 29 KANSAS CITY WIZARDS 7:00 RSL's lone 2009 home loss came against Kansas City

Sat. June 5 @ D.C. United 5:30 RSL 4-4-2 all-time against MLS' most decorated side

WED. JUNE 9 LOS ANGELES GALAXY 7:00 MLS Cup 2009 rematch last MLS game prior to MLS hiatus

FRI. JUNE 25 SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES 7:00 Extra-time own goal saw potential SJ win at RTS fade in '09

FRI. JULY 2 N.E. REVOLUTION 8:00 RSL fireworks tradition relocates permanently to Sandy

Thu. July 8 @ Chicago Fire 7:30 ESPN2 RSL returns to site of winning East Final in PKs last year

Sat. July 17 @ FC Dallas 6:30 Pizza Hut Park welcomes defending MLS Cup champs

SAT. JULY 24 CHIVAS USA 8:00 Pioneer Day celebration awaits '05 expansion brethren

SAT. JULY 31 D.C. UNITED 7:00 Onalfo leads United into Rio Tinto

Sat. Aug. 7 @ Kansas City Wizards 6:30 RSL returns to site of rare road clean sheet in 2009

Wed. Aug. 11 @ Philadelphia Union 5:30 First-ever visit to face Union in Chester, PA's new stadium

SAT. AUG. 14 COLUMBUS CREW 7:00 Schelloto and Co. return to RTS for first time since Playoffs

Wed. Aug. 18 CCL Group Game #1

Wed. Aug. 25 CCL Group Game #2

Sat. Aug. 28 @ Toronto FC 5:00 First game for RSL on BMO Field's new grass surface

SAT. SEPT. 4 NEW YORK RED BULLS 7:00 Red Bulls make customary late-season visit to Rio Tinto

Thu. Sept. 9 @ Seattle Sounders FC 9:00 ESPN2 RSL returns to Qwest Field for first time since MLS Cup win

Wed. Sept. 15 CCL Group Game #3

SAT. SEPT. 18 CHICAGO FIRE 2:00 TELEFUTURA Matinee first match on national Spanish TV partner since '07

Wed. Sept. 22 CCL Group Game #4

SAT. SEPT. 25 COLORADO RAPIDS 8:00 FSC RSL looking to keep Rocky Mountain Cup for 4th straight year

Wed. Sept. 29 CCL Group Game #5

Sat. Oct. 2 @ New England Revolution 5:30 RSL has taken points from 3 of 5 visits to Gillette Stadium

Sat. Oct. 9 @ New York Red Bulls 2:30 First trip to Red Bull Arena could hold playoff implications

SAT. OCT. 16 FC DALLAS 7:00 "Hoops" close out regular season slate at Rio Tinto Stadium

Wed. Oct. 20 CCL Group Game #6

Sat. Oct. 23 @ Colorado Rapids 7:00 Rivals close out season at DSG Park for third time in 4 years

(Home games in BOLD CAPS; road games in road italics; all times p.m./MT;

2010 schedule subject to change; please visit www.RealSaltLake.com or www.RioTintoStadium.com for latest news and info)

2010 MLS CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

Thu-Sun, Oct. 28-Oct. 31 MLS Cup Playoffs - Conference Semifinals, Leg 1

Thu-Sun, Nov. 4-7 MLS Cup Playoffs - Conference Semifinals, Leg 2

Thu-Sun, Nov. 11-14 MLS Cup Playoffs - Conference Finals

Sun, Nov. 21 MLS Cup 2010 @ site TBD

Real Salt Lake 2010 Preseason Schedule

Feb. 11: Full-team training/fitness testing at Newpark Recreation Center in Park City (1456 Newpark Blvd.) from 1:00-3:00 p.m. MT

Feb. 12: Training at University of Utah Field House (650 Guardsman Way) from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. MT

Feb. 13-27: Preseason Trip #1 to Casa Grande, Ariz. (camp based at the Casa Grande Performance Institute at the Francisco Grande)

* Saturday, Feb. 20 - RSL v. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Casa Grande Performance Institute; time TBA) * Friday, Feb. 26 - RSL v. TBA (opponent/site/time TBA)

Mar. 2-4: Training in Utah (sites/times TBD)

Mar. 5-21: Preseason Trip #2 to Charleston, S.C.

* Saturday, Mar. 6 - RSL @ College of Charleston * 7th Annual Carolina Challenge Cup at Blackbaud Stadium

* Saturday, Mar. 13 - RSL v. D.C. United - 3:00 p.m. MT * Wednesday, Mar. 17 - RSL v. Charleston Battery (USSF Div. 2) - 3:00 p.m. MT * Saturday, Mar. 20 - RSL v. Toronto FC - 3:00 p.m. MT

Saturday, Mar. 27: Real Salt Lake 2010 MLS opener at San Jose Earthquakes (7:00 p.m. MT, live on Fox Soccer Channel)

Thursday, Apr. 1: Real Salt Lake at Houston Dynamo (7:00 p.m. MT, live on ESPN2)

Saturday, Apr. 10: Real Salt Lake 2010 Rio Tinto Stadium opener v. Seattle Sounders FC (7:00 p.m. MT)

www.RealSaltLake.com / www.RioTintoStadium.com / www.RSLtotheCore.com

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