MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Gameday Events: Saturday, July 30 V. Columbus Crew

Published on July 28, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah (Thursday, July 28, 2011) -Real Salt Lake (9-3-6, 33 pts.; 4th in West) will look to knock off one of the Eastern Conference's elite this Saturday, July 30, when the Utah side will play host to the Columbus Crew (8-6-7, 31 pts.; T-1st in East) in Sandy. Kickoff between these two familiar foes is set for 7:00 p.m. MT during "Health and Fitness Night" at Rio Tinto Stadium, presented by Hoopes Vision. Tickets for the clash between conference contenders remain available and can be purchased in person at the Rio Tinto Stadium Box Office beginning at 10:00 a.m., over the phone at 801-727-2700 or online at www.RealSaltLake.com.

Real Salt Lake and Columbus know one another quite well, as Saturday's meeting will be their fourth already this season across all competitions. The two sides first met in the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals, RSL advancing 4-1 on aggregate thanks to a win by that margin at home on March 1 in the second leg that followed a scoreless opener in Columbus a week prior. The budding rivals met for the first time in MLS play on June 8 at Crew Stadium, where the Crew would get revenge on their CCL ouster via a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over the Utahns.

RSL Teams Up with Hoopes Vision to Give One Lucky Fan Free LASIK Surgery

For weeks, Real Salt Lake and Hoopes Vision asked the Claret-and-Cobalt faithful via their Facebook Fan Pages why they think they deserve free LASIK eye surgery. The search has now been narrowed down to three contenders, and it will be up to their fellow RSL fans to decide who wins the life-changing procedure between finalists April Garner, Cambria Nash and Matt Cieslak. After a pre-game ceremony on the Rio Tinto Stadium field honoring the doctors and surgeons of Hoopes Vision, the winner of the free LASIK surgery will be decided by fan reaction during halftime of this Saturday's contest against the Columbus Crew.

Carnival Real Starts the Festivities at 5:00 p.m. for Saturday's Contest

Good times and giveaways are always available for the taking at the Carnival Real pre-game festival on the East Lawn of Rio Tinto Stadium, starting at 5:00 p.m. MT. Saturday's Carnival activities will feature booths and activities presented by several of RSL's partners, including:

Budweiser, Burger King ("Whopper Hopper" inflatable and Prize Wheel), Check City, Hoopes Vision, Kentucky Fried Chicken (Chuckin' for Chicken), Mountain America Credit Union ("Accuracy Kick" challenge), U Aid, United States Marine Corps, Wasatch Property, X96, XanGo and Xfinity.

When Rio Tinto Stadium's gates open to the public at 6:00 p.m., fans will also have the opportunity to visit the Comcast Xfinity and Utah Department of Public Safety (Designated Driver/Responsibility Has Its Rewards sign-up) booths, located on the northeast concourse. In addition, fans will be able to chime in with their two cents during the ESPN 700 Pre-game Show and visit the RSL Ticketing booth to find out the best ways to keep visiting the best park in Major League Soccer throughout the remainder of RSL's 2011 campaign.

The RSL Team Store Packs it in for "Special of the Week"

Can't choose from all the great deals at the Real Salt Lake Team Store? Now you don't have to thanks to this week's Real Salt Lake Team Store's "Special of the Week" lasting through Saturday's game against Columbus! Through Saturday, fans that purchase the RSL Combo Pack - which includes a RSL T-shirt, hat, cinch sack, wristbands and headband - for the already low price of $40 will also receive a RSL replica size 5 soccer ball for free!

If you want to beat the lines at the game on Saturday, then swing into the RSL Team Store this Friday, July 29, when the store will welcome the "Bill and Spence" Show on ESPN 700 for a live remote from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Check out the team store during those hours and mention "ESPN 700" to get half off any youth hoodie, and if you mention "Bill and Spence on ESPN 700" you'll receive 30% off any RSL adult-sized products (no rainchecks or compounding of discounts). During the show, "Bill and Spence" will also be giving away two of the before-mentioned RSL Combo Packs, as well as one RSL 2011 travel hoodie and some of the new RSL fitness towels.

Fans wishing to receive more information on any of the ever-expanding line of Claret-and Cobalt swag in the store are encouraged to dial the RSL Team Store Hotline at 801-727-2888, or visit the store in-person during regular business hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. MT, Monday-Saturday

Miss the Lines, Not the Moment with RSLexpress!

There's one less reason to have to head up the aisle during this Saturday's showdown against Columbus, as the best way to "get your snack on" at Rio Tinto Stadium is through the RSLexpress in-seat delivery service, powered by Mangia. Mangia is making your life easier by offering a quick and convenient way for you to get your food - there's no need to waste time in lines, and you won't have to wait until halftime anymore!

RSLexpress allows fans to purchase food, drinks, and merchandise using their mobile phone, with their order being delivered directly to their seat in just minutes! It's easy to use RSLexpress, and creating an account is free - just visit www.RSLexpress.com to start enjoying in-seat delivery from a mobile device. For instructions on ordering from an iPhone, the mobile web, or via text message, visit Mangia's "How To" page, or call 877-762-6442.

Rad Martinez to Be Honored as Saturday's RSL/American Express "Hero Among Us"

Real Salt Lake and American Express are proud to recognize professional mixed-martial arts fighter Rad Martinez of West Jordan as Saturday's recipient of the "Heroes Among Us" honor. Due to his success in the ring, recording only two losses since beginning his career in 2008, Rad recently agreed to a multi-year agreement with Bellator Fighting Championships to fight in the featherweight division.

The national celebrity and Utah native was featured on ESPN's Outside the Lines in June, which profiled the fighter's battle to fulfill his duty as primary caretaker to his disabled father while furthering his career as a mixed-martial artist. When Rad was just 12-years-old, his father was involved in a serious car accident which caused permanent brain damage. Although his passion for his fighting career is remarkable, Rad has never given up on his father and takes care of him at any and all costs. When asked about why he devotes so much time to his father when it might be a detriment to his fighting career, Rad simply responds, "Because he's my dad." It's because of this extreme dedication not only to his career, but to his family, that Real Salt Lake and American Express are proud to recognize Rad Martinez as the latest "Hero Among Us."

To find out more about the Real Salt Lake/American Express "Heroes Among Us" program, including details on how to nominate candidates for the 2011 season and biographies of past recipients, visit the "Heroes Among Us" page under the "Community" section of www.RealSaltLake.com. In addition, candidate submissions can be returned via email to [email protected], fax to 801-727-1469, or mail to the address below:

Rio Tinto Stadium

Attn: Heroes Among Us/Lesley Clark

9526 State Street

Sandy, Utah 84070

Saturday's Group & Guest Recognitions

National Anthem performer: Beverly Stachowiak

RSL/American Express "Heroes Among Us": Rad Martinez

OhMyCrafts.com "Mom of the Match": Patricia Doty

U.S. Bank Little Leo of the Game: Gavin Perryman

Ceremonial Coin Toss: Dr. Phillip C. Hoopes Sr.

RSL "Goal Gong" Ringer: Phillip C. Hoopes III

Ball Kids: Mountain Home H.S.

Mountain America "Dream Team" participants: Utah Soccer Alliance

Pre-game Verizon Wireless "Parade of Kings" participants & recognized groups: Grantsville H.S. Soccer, Millcreek Anesthesia, Mountain Home (Idaho) H.S. Soccer, U Aid, Verizon Wireless participants, XanGo distributors

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 28, 2011


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