MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Weekly Update

Published on November 18, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


RSL Midfielders Andy Williams and Will Johnson to Face off in CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier Wednesday

While Real Salt Lake's season might have come to an abrupt end over the weekend, a pair of the MLS squad's midfielders - Andy Williams and Will Johnson - still have an important contest to take part in this Wednesday, November 19, after being called into the Jamaican and Canadian National Teams, respectively. The RSL duo departed Salt Lake City for Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday in preparation for tomorrow's CONCACAF Region Group 2 World Cup qualifier between the "Reggae Boyz" and the "Maple Leafs," set to kickoff at 6:00 p.m. MT (8:00 p.m. local) at the National Stadium in Kingston. After struggling early in the semifinal round, Jamaica has won its last two matches - both at "The Office" in Kingston - and can advance to CONCACAF's "hexagonal" final round of qualifying with a win over an eliminated Canada squad and a Mexico victory in Honduras.

Williams has been a regular for Jamaica since ending his retirement from the international game earlier this year, starting for Jamaica in the first three of its five semifinal round contests to date and scoring in the first meeting against Canada on August 20 in Toronto to help the Reggae Boyz to a 1-1 draw. The 31-year-old Williams has now amassed 13 goals in 89 "caps" for Jamaica since making his international debut in 1998. On the flip side is the 21-year-old Johnson, who is hoping to build on his four Senior team appearances with Canada with an appearance on Wednesday. Johnson has been a fixture for the Maple Leafs' youth teams, which included 30 games with the country's U-20/U-19 sides and a standout performance at last spring's CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament, a three-game stint that earned him a spot on the competition's All-Tournament Team.

RSL Rewind: Debut Postseason Run Ends One Game Short after 1-0 Loss to Red Bulls in Western Conference Final

Real Salt Lake saw its run towards an MLS Cup title cut short last Saturday evening in the 2008 MLS Western Conference Final, as the New York Red Bulls got a first half goal from MF Dave van den Bergh before taking everything the home side could throw at them in a 1-0 triumph over RSL in front of a packed house of 20,008 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium. Despite outshooting the visitors from New York 24-11 on the night - including 16-6 in the second half - and hitting the woodwork on three separate occasions, the RSL onslaught on goal proved not to be enough as Red Bulls goalkeeper Danny Cepero continued his standout postseason by making seven saves on the evening, ending the Utah side's debut postseason appearance one step shy of this Sunday's MLS Cup Final. When it was all said and done, Real Salt Lake went a combined 11-11-11 in 2008 across the regular season and playoffs, with its 10-10-10 record and 40 points in the regular season standing as new franchise highs, providing proof of the squad's improvement in the first full season for both Head Coach Jason Kreis and General Manager Garth Lagerwey.

MF Will Johnson Among Five Finalists for 2008 Sierra Mist Goal of the Year

The five finalists for the 2008 Sierra Mist Goal of the Year have been determined, and Real Salt Lake MF Will Johnson remains in the running for the annual award, which will be named by Major League Soccer tomorrow, Wednesday, November 19. Voting will continue throughout the day today at www.MLSnet.com, so it's not too late to make your voice heard and help give Johnson some well-deserved hardware for his spectacular full volley from RSL's 3-1 win over FC Dallas on Oct. 18.

Voting for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Year honor started last month, with fans able to select from 35 regular-season goals, which included the 31 winners of the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week and four additional nominees (including Johnson's strike). Fan voting has already whittled down the count to 10 semifinalists and finally the five finalists - which include Johnson, Cuauhtémoc Blanco (CHI), Geoff Cameron (HOU), Danny Cepero, and Robbie Rogers (CLB). To watch and vote for the five remaining nominees, click on the link below:

https://securemls.mlsnet.com/mls/awards/2008/goal_of_the_year/

Get Ready for RSL's 2009 Season by Securing Your Royal Club Membership Now!

If you're still bummed about the end of Real Salt Lake's incredible 2008 season, well, it's time to look forward to what should be a spectacular 2009 campaign. And the best way to get ready for RSL's fifth MLS season is to secure your spot at Rio Tinto Stadium next year by becoming an RSL Royal Club member! Season tickets packages for the Utah club's first full season at its new Sandy home start at just $300, making a Royal Club membership a perfect Holiday gift for the soccer fanatic in your family - or your family of soccer fanatics! For more information on how to become a Royal Club Member in time for kickoff next spring, contact the RSL Front Office at 801-924-8584 or visit www.RIoTintoStadium.com.

Check out the Real Salt Lake Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from November 18, 2008


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.

OurSports Central