MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Settles for 2-2 Exhibition Draw with Sporting Kansas

Published on March 8, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Real Salt Lake would jump out to a two-goal advantage before settling for a 2-2 draw with Sporting Kansas City in an exhibition contest this evening at the Reach 11 Soccer Complex in Scottsdale.

The Utahans would get on the board first through FW �lvaro Sabor�o, who knocked home a rebounded shot 25 minutes in to get RSL off on the right foot. That goal would stand along until the halftime break, but it wouldn't take long after the interval for RSL to tack on another, as FW Fabian Esp�ndola took MF Kyle Beckerman's feed near the top of the area and lashed a low shot that snuck inside the far post and SKC 'keeper Jimmy Nielsen, stretching the advantage to 2-0 in the 48th minute.

Sporting KC would get a goal back just minutes later when a tackle by RSL DF Jamison Olave inside the area drew a foul, followed by FW Kei Kamara burying the resulting penalty kick into the upper 90 to bring the score to 2-1 RSL. It was then SKC FW Omar Bravo bringing things level, as the Mexican international scored in the 70th minute to bring the scoreline to its eventual 2-2 outcome.

Real Salt Lake News & Notes

Tonight's contest was the first of two between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City in as many days. RSL will conclude its preseason plans in Game #2 tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. MT, that match also to be contested at the Reach 11 Complex. All but one player on the Real Salt Lake roster - FW Cody Arnoux - is healthy and available for selection during the short stay in Scottsdale. DF Chris Wingert had been nursing a foot contusion in recent days, but suited up and went the distance tonight for the Utah side. While 17 MLS teams are closing up their preseason activities this week in anticipation of MLS First Kick next week, Real Salt Lake is using the doubleheader with SKC to prepare for its CONCACAF Champions League Semifinal Round match-up with Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa. The series starts one week from tonight, next Tuesday, March 15, when RSL welcomes the "Purple Monster" to Sandy for an 8:00 p.m. MT kickoff. A three-week hiatus will take place before the second leg on Tuesday, April 5, at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San Jose, Costa Rica, also scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. MT kick (LIVE on FOX Soccer).

- Tickets for the CCL Semifinal first leg are now available and can be purchased online at www.RealSaltLake.com, over the phone at 801-727-2700, or in person at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office during regular business hours: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. MT. For a limited time, Real Salt Lake Season Ticket Holders can purchase additional seats to the historic contest for $10, while non-Season Ticket Holders can take advantage of a $15 ticket deal.

There will be little time to rest for Real Salt Lake following next Tuesday's CCL Semifinal first leg, as the Claret-and-Cobalt will begin its 34-game slate in 2011 MLS regular season play four days later on Saturday, March 19, at the San Jose Earthquakes. Kickoff for the MLS First Kick rematch from last season at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. is set for 8:30 p.m. MT and can be seen live on KMYU.

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Major League Soccer Stories from March 8, 2011


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