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MLS Real Salt Lake

Utah Soccer Alliance and Tc United Become Latest "Victory Gold" Members

July 6, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah (Wednesday, July 6, 2011) - Real Salt Lake and adidas are proud to announce the addition of Utah Soccer Alliance (USA) and TC United as the latest "Victory Gold" level partners of the Royal Coalition program, the new youth soccer development initiative under the umbrella of Real Salt Lake and its groundbreaking Youth Development Program.

"As the newest members of the Royal Coalition, we would like to thank Utah Soccer Alliance and TC United for their partnership and officially welcome their players, coaches and staff into the extended Real Salt Lake family," said Real Salt Lake President Bill Manning. "We expect the commitment of both these area clubs to the Royal Coalition to open up even more eyes to the benefits of this unique and rewarding partnership."

Utah Soccer Alliance is a non-profit, youth soccer club based primarily in the southwest communities of the Salt Lake Valley that boasts one of the largest memberships in Utah, featuring 2,500 recreation players and 800 kids in its competition program. With the number of teams fielded at all competitive levels and a large recreation program, Utah Soccer Alliance is able to achieve its unique mission of focusing on player development while also providing a place for everyone to play. Utah Soccer Alliance continues to be one of the best club values in the Intermountain Region while still maintaining the ability to recruit a top coaching staff that includes Olympic Development Staff coaches, former professional and collegiate standouts and head coaches from local area high schools.

"We are excited to further the already strong relationship between USA and Real Salt Lake," said Eric Wells, President of Utah Soccer Alliance. "From the first day RSL existed, USA has recognized the importance of the connections made between Major League Soccer and local youth clubs. Our relationship with RSL has been mutually beneficial from the start, and this new level of partnership will only help to make that bond even stronger."

Soccer has been flourishing in Tooele County for over 25 years, however, it's only been since 2004 the youth soccer program was revamped and renamed to TC United. With 15 competitive teams and over 1,500 recreational kids playing in the program, it's no wonder TC United has set the benchmark for clubs in Tooele County in regards to player development and coaching education. Thanks to a coaching staff that boasts numerous National Licenses and members of the State of Utah staff, TC United has developed more collegiate-level players and members of the Utah Olympic Development Program than any other club in Tooele County.

"TC United is very excited to join the efforts of Real Salt Lake to help Utah become the soccer hot bed that it has the potential to be. RSL has a commitment and dedication to improving players and coaches, as does TC United, so it just made sense for TC United to partner with RSL to enhance the player and coaching experience," said Casey Walker, Club Director for TC United. "While we felt membership with TC United already outweighed its costs, the ability to offer the additional benefits included in RSL's Royal Coalition program was a no-brainer. Now our TC United players will be wearing the RSL logo and have access to many benefits that few other clubs can claim, and we feel this is a great enhancement for not just TC United's players and coaches, but to the community as a whole."

The Royal Coalition partnership has been developed at three distinct levels - Victory Gold, Claret, and Cobalt - allowing youth soccer organizations the option of deciding which partnership will most benefit their club and its membership. Victory Gold members such as Utah Soccer Alliance, TC United and founding member Sparta United SC will also receive premium access and additional benefits through adidas.

"The United States has some of the best athletic talent in the world and its part of our goal at adidas to make sure our homegrown athletes have opportunities to play elite soccer," said Antonio Zea, Director of Soccer for adidas America. "We share a long-term vision with Real Salt Lake to develop the elite game here in America and look forward to continuing to work together on the Royal Coalition program with clubs such as Utah Soccer Alliance and TC United to develop the next generation of American soccer stars."

A list of member clubs, membership benefits and commitments for each level of the Royal Coalition are detailed below. To receive more information on the Royal Coalition program, or to see how your youth soccer organization can get involved, please contact RSL Soccer Market Manager Scott Reynolds at sreynolds@RealSaltLake.com or 801-727-2862.

VICTORY GOLD COALITION

"Victory Gold" Club Roster:

Sparta United SC (Salt Lake City)

Utah Soccer Alliance (SW Salt Lake valley)

TC United (Tooele)

Membership benefits include:

3 year adidas equipment contract

Seasonal "Presidential Suite Night"

Seasonal "Chalk Talk" with RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis

Seasonal team training visit to an RSL First Team practice

Quarterly player development meetings with RSL's First Team coaching staff

Annual adidas/Royal Coalition All-Star Game

Participation in annual Royal Coalition Coaches' Symposium

Annual curriculum development session

Custom training consultation

Five (5) RSL player/mascot appearances

adidas/Royal Coalition logo ID

Program commitments include:

Minimum of 20 season ticket packages (any seating level)

One (1) ticket voucher for every tournament participant

RSL Jrs. membership for every recreation/academy participant

CLARET COALITION

"Claret" Club Roster:

Utah Rangers FC (Orem)

Blue Knights SC (Sandy)

Membership benefits include:

Three (3) RSL player/mascot appearances

Seasonal "Chalk Talk" with RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis

Seasonal team training visit to an RSL First Team practice

Participation in annual Royal Coalition Coaches' Symposium

Annual curriculum development session

Custom training consultation

Royal Coalition logo ID

Program commitments include:

Minimum of 10 season ticket packages (any seating level)

One (1) ticket voucher for every club participant

RSL Jrs. membership for every recreation/academy participant

COBALT COALITION

"Cobalt" Club Roster:

AYSO 126 - Cottonwood Heights

AYSO 343 - West Weber

Membership benefits include:

One (1) RSL player/mascot appearance

RSL Jrs. membership card

RSL Jrs. ticket voucher

Coaching education session

Seasonal staff support

RSL Jrs. logo ID

Program commitment includes:

RSL Jrs. Membership for every recreation/academy participant

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