4/05 News

[AreliusII]

Players look forward to good weather

Forecast in L.A. looks much better than last week's conditions

By James Edward
Deseret Morning News

The weather forecast in Los Angeles is usually meaningless to Utahns, but for Real Salt Lake's players, this Saturday's forecast of 75 degrees and partly cloudy is some of the most refreshing news imaginable.


After opening its Major League Soccer existence last Saturday in East Rutherford, N.J., with wind gusts approaching 50 mph and temperatures in the 40s, the thought of playing its second game in T-shirt weather against the L.A. Galaxy this Saturday sounds mighty pleasant.


Following the 0-0 stalemate, played in front of fewer than 1,000 fans in a stadium that howled as the wind blew, many players were left wondering if the game should have been played.


"I think maybe this has to be a consideration whether we should be playing games in the Northeast this time of year," said Jason Kreis.


Realistically, however, with all but four teams playing in cities susceptible to winter-like conditions in early April, the league doesn't have much of a choice than to gamble with Mother Nature.



KSL INAUGURAL BROADCAST: Despite competing against the NCAA basketball tournament and the LDS Church's Annual General Conference, KSL's broadcast of Real Salt Lake's inaugural game against the MetroStars earned a 3.0 rating and a six share across Utah.


The ratings breakdown means that 3 percent of all homes in Utah were watching RSL's opening game, while 6 percent of homes with the TV turned on were watching.


In contrast, the NCAA games earned a 7.3 rating and a 14 share in Utah.



RESERVES GEARING UP: This Sunday, RSL's reserves hit the field for the first time when they battle the Galaxy Reserves at 10 a.m. at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.


MLS teams play a 32-game schedule, while the reserve teams are slated to play a 12-game schedule. RSL's reserve home opener is Saturday, April 16, immediately following the senior club's opener against Colorado at 1 p.m.


This is the first year MLS is officially involved with reserve teams. The league expanded rosters from 23 to 28 this year to accommodate a reserve team schedule.



COACHES RADIO SHOW: Beginning today and continuing every Tuesday throughout the MLS season, RSL coach John Ellinger will be a guest on the Manly Morning Show on AM-1280 from 8:30 to 8:45 a.m.

[AreliusII]

By Brad Rock
Deseret Morning News


Zippo patrol





I'm trying to give Real Salt Lake the benefit of the doubt here. Honest. I know it was cold and raining.


But a 0-0 score in the team's first game?


Anyone can score zero.


If they were gonna do that, why not stay home and make s'mores?

[SoccerPrime]

First off, shoot Brad Rock, idiot.

Next, did everyone know the Reserve game was on after the regular game for the home opener? Thats great!

[clarette]

Who's Brad Rock?

Why does he write in tiny sentences?

If he is going to do that, why not stay home and take Journalism 101 online?

[Deuce]

I am surprised Brad Rock posted such a negative response to the match. He has been very supportive of soccer and RSL and positive in some of his other columns. Odd that is!

anyway he will prolly change his tune after saturday!
We should invite Brad and the Robinson guy to the watch party on Saturday!

[mckid]

Rock is a lot like the Simpsons. He addresses current events and topics by taking pot shots at them. He's only trying to get a rise out of his readers. He's made cracks about soccer as long as I've read him. But, he has also praised it. Me thinks he isn't one of the sports media members who feels threatened by the sport, and I think he'll give it a fair shake.

Bottom line, never take Rock too seriously with his sarcastic comments.

[SoccerPrime]

Originally Posted by AreliusII

I thought the reserves first match was 4/10

It is. Did I say it wasn't???

As for inviting media, also invite Michael Lewis of SL Trib. He has emailed us several times and told us that he is the main RSL writer for SL Trib.
I am sure he would come if he was invited.

[AreliusII]

RSL INJURY REPORT:

DF Jeff Stewart -- OUT -- R knee surgery
MF Evan Whitfield -- OUT -- R ankle sprain
GK Noah Palmer -- OUT -- R shoulder sprain


That would explain why Whitfield didn't travel...

[AreliusII]

RSL TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF APRIL 4, 2005:
**All practices are open to Media members. All times and locations are subject to change.
DAY/DATE -- SITE -- TIME (MT)
Monday, April 4 -- Off Day
Tuesday, April 5 -- Rice-Eccles Stadium -- 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, April 6 -- Rice-Eccles Stadium -- 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, April 7 -- Travel to Carson, Calif. -- 2:30 p.m.; Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif. -- TBD (late afternoon)
Friday, April 8 -- Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif. -- TBD (mid-morning)
Saturday, April 9 -- GAME vs. L.A. Galaxy @ The Home Depot -- Center, Carson, Calif., 8:00 p.m. (KSL TV)
Sunday, April 10 -- GAME vs. Galaxy Reserves -- 11:00 a.m.; Travel to Salt Lake City -- 8:05 p.m.