RSL vs. Universidad Católica [R]

[AreliusII]

Real Salt Lake General Manager Steve Pastorino today announced that RSL will host its first-ever international friendly on Wednesday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. MT at Rice-Eccles Stadium against South American powerhouse Universidad Católica. The contest against the Chilean First Division squad represents the first time RSL has played a team from South America.



“Universidad Católica is one the most storied clubs in Chile,” Pastorino said, noting that Católica joins German power Hannover 96 as international clubs to have entered relationships with Real Salt Lake. “It is truly an honor to host their first tour of the United States. We hope this game marks the beginning of a long-term relationship with the Chilean First Division team, and look forward to bringing South American flavor to Utah.”



The game is included in RSL’s 2005 full season ticket plan and is marked as “Bonus Game A” in season ticket packages. Ticket prices for this international match are consistent with single-game ($14 for north goal, $18 for corner flag, $25 for premier east and $32 for VIP west). Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Utah Ticket Office at 451 South 1400 East, logging onto www.utahtickets.com or by contacting the Rice-Eccles Ticket Office at (801) 581-UTIX. Groups of 20 or more should contact Real Salt Lake by calling (866) 9-SOCCER.



“I am pleased for our first international friendly to be played against a club of this caliber,” said RSL Head Coach John Ellinger, en route to Seattle for tomorrow’s reserve contest against the Seattle Sounders. “Universidad Católica has forged a consistent reputation internationally as a true power, and we are excited to showcase our talents and their squad before our phenomenal fans.”



The June 8 game in Salt Lake City represents the second leg of the Católica tour of the United States, with the first leg being played against the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium at 5:30 p.m. MT on Saturday, June 4. Católica currently holds the top spot in the Chilean First Division with a 13-2-1 record and three weeks to play, outscoring its opponents 35-10. Católica is seven points clear of Universidad de Chile and FW Jose Luis Villanueva leads the team with eight goals. Its 4-1 win against Cobreloa last weekend qualified the team for Copa Nissan Sudamericana, the CONMEBOL club championship tournament to be held August-December, 2005.



The storied Chilean team was the 1993 Libertadores Runner-up, the 1995 Copa InterContinental Champions, and 15-time Champions/Runner-up in the Chilean First Division. Santiago-based Católica is the former home of current MetroStars GK Jonny Walker, is coached by Jorge Alberto Pellicer Barcelo, and was founded in 1937.

[bordelais7]

Not bad, not bad...

good quality opponent, good entertainment, and good quality training to boot

[Scilaci]

FABULOUS!!!
When I lived in Chile, UC was the premier team. I guess that's why I cheered for their rivals, Colo Colo. ha ha. Anyhow, excellent choice for a team to host.
FABULOUS!!!

[Aerick]

Man!! I gotta get me season tickets...

[Aero]

That's great. This should be a fun game.

[AreliusII]

Presently, U. Católica (officially Club Deportivo Universidad Católica) is in first place in the Chilean first division with 40 points and a record of 13-1-2. The second-place team (La U. de Chile) has 33 points.

http://lacatolica.terra.cl/posiciones.cfm?g=1

[AreliusII]

U. Católica’s trip to the U.S. will be right during their playoffs, so it raises the question as to whether they will send their reserve team.

U. Católica has 9 youth teams: U-11, U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17, U-19, U-23.

[AreliusII]

U. Católica has won the championship 8 times (the most recent coming in 2002, with the American Johnny Walker in the net!). La U won the Copa Chile in 1995 and la Copa Interamericana in 1994.

In 1993, even though la U beat Sao Paulo 2-0 in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores, it wasn’t enough since it had lost to Sao Paulo 5-1 in the first leg.

La “U” plays in the stadium San Carlos de Apoquindo (finished in 1988), which has a capacity of 12,000.

[RSL Punk]

A couple of thoughts:

1. Wahooo! I knew getting the season tickets would be worth it.
2. Which brings me to the little teaser that Pastorino mentioned--Catolica is the SECOND team we've entered into a relationship with. When's he gonna announce the Hannover 96 game? And who, do you think, the other two games are going to be against? Hmm?

[SoccerPrime]

Hannover had at least 2 more years to "make good" on their friendly agreement.