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MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Honors Chris Wingert for 10 Season with the Club

March 16, 2018 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah - Real Salt Lake will honor longtime DF Chris Wingert in a halftime ceremony at the match on Saturday against the New York Red Bulls. Fans will have an opportunity to get autographs and photos with Wingert at Carnival Real prior to the match. At halftime, he will be honored during a ceremony on the field with Owner Dell Loy Hansen, General Manager Craig Waibel and longtime teammate Tony Beltran . Kickoff for Saturday's match is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT with festivities at Carnival Real starting at 5 p.m. MT. Tickets are available at KSL.com/RSL or by calling 844-REAL-TIX (844-732-5849).

Wingert originally came to Real Salt Lake in a trade with the Colorado Rapids in 2007 and went on to play 284 matches across all competitions for the club. His 10 seasons were separated by a brief hiatus in 2015 when he played one season for his hometown club, New York City FC. While with RSL, he won the 2009 MLS Cup and was a finalist for the 2013 MLS Cup, 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the 2010-2011 CONCACAF Champions League when RSL was the first MLS club to reach the final.

All told, he played 247 of his 339 career MLS regular season matches with Real Salt Lake. Only Kyle Beckerman (284) and Nick Rimando (307) have appeared in more matches in the club's 13 seasons. In addition to his play on the field, Wingert was a key figure in the community during his time with the club and earned the club's 2013 Humanitarian of the Year award.

Kyle Beckerman, Wingert's teammate for 12 seasons with RSL and the Colorado Rapids and longtime friend - "Without Wingert in Real Salt Lake, we don't win a championship. We don't go on the run where we're at the top and chasing trophies. Chris was a huge part of building the foundation of this club that we still stand on. He was the utmost professional on the field, great in the locker room and he was a great steward in the community. He's definitely going to be missed, for sure."

Nick Rimando, Wingert's RSL teammate for 10 seasons - "Chris was a part of a group of players that turned RSL around. From his first year till his last, Wing worked endlessly for the growth of soccer on and off the pitch. It was a pleasure sharing the field with him because he was such a warrior - someone you could count on whenever his name was called. He was one of the hardest workers on the team and lead with his gritty mentality. I'm gonna miss seeing him on the pitch but mostly in the locker room, such a great teammate, pro, leader and friend."

Tony Beltran, Wingert's teammate for nine seasons at Real Salt Lake - "Chris Wingert was a man who gave everything for this club, this league and for his teammates; never asking, always giving, teaching and inspiring those around him. It has been a privilege to play alongside him for so long, to learn from him and call him my friend. I hope the importance of his time with RSL is not taken lightly and honored by all who share love for RSL and MLS."

Justen Glad , Wingert's teammate for three seasons at Real Salt Lake - "Wingert was one of the first guys that welcomed me into the team. He was super friendly and outgoing. He's always been there for the young guys and that's just the kind of guy he is. He's a humble guy and always looking to see where he can help out. He's a professional on and off the field. Just seeing the way he carries himself is a great example for anybody. I'm grateful to have been able to play by his side and form that friendship. I'm excited to see what's next for him. I know it's going to be something that's going to show what kind of person he is and I know it's going to benefit others."

Craig Waibel, Wingert's position coach in 2014 and the General Manager that brought him back to the organization in 2016-17 - "Chris is the ultimate competitor - the type of player that you'd want in your locker room because you know he won't let the level in training dip. Beyond that, he has been so instrumental in the growth of this organization through what he does on the field and in the community. There are few better ambassadors for this club over the last 10 years than Chris and he will always have a legacy with the club."

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