Real Salt Lake announces plans for Real Week, leading up to home opener

Each year RSL has planned a number of activities leading up to the start of the season, or to the home opener and this year is no exception with a number of public, media, and private events.  It starts today with:

Monday, April 5

Social Media, Real Style

Social Media, Real Style will be an online and in-person "scavenger hunt" for Claret-and-Cobalt fans, taking place throughout the day and all across the Salt Lake Valley on Monday. Real Salt Lake will announce its locations and prizes via postings on its official Facebook (www.Facebook.com/RealSaltLake) and Twitter (www.Twitter.com/RealSaltLake) sites, with the first person to show up at each location and mentioning which social media platform it located the clue on receiving RSL prizes, including merchandise and tickets. The barrage of gift-giving will begin bright and early and last for 12 hours, rolling out and about from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. MT.

When: 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. MT

Where: Secret locations across the Salt Lake Valley

The rest of the weeks activities are listed after the jump:

Tuesday, April 6

Screening of "It's For Real!" Commemorative DVD (PRIVATE EVENT)

Real Salt Lake will roll out the red carpet for the team's roster and staff and their guests on Tuesday night, when the club will host a private-screening of the "It's For Real!" commemorative DVD at the Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons in Sandy. The hour-long DVD chronicles Real Salt Lake's magical ride to the MLS Cup 2009 title, including exclusive interviews with several members of the championship squad and behind-the-scenes footage of the post-game celebration. Tuesday's screening, which is closed to the public, will begin with doors opening at 5:45 p.m. MT. Media members wanting to attend the screening to obtain photo opportunities and/or interviews are asked to contact Trey Fitz-Gerald in the RSL Communications Department at tfitz@RealSaltLake.com or 801-856-8877 to RSVP or inquire about further details.

Fans are reminded that a free copy of the "It's for Real!" commemorative DVD is included as part of the 2010 Real Salt Lake Season Ticket Package, which can be purchased online at www.RioTintoStadium.com.

When: Doors open at 5:45 p.m. MT

Where: Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons in Sandy (9400 State Street)

Note: This private event is closed to members of the public

Wednesday, April 7

RSL Supporters Summit

All Real Salt Lake Supporters Groups - RCB, La Barra Real, Section 26, Union Real, The Loyalists and The Royal Pride - are invited to Club Real, presented by Budweiser, at Rio Tinto Stadium for this year's RSL Supporters Summit. From 6:30-8:30 p.m., representatives from all six supporters groups will be discussing the 2010 season and coordinating game presentation efforts, such as chants, marches, and new traditions that will ensure the continuation of the best home-field advantage in MLS right here in Sandy. RSL fans that are not yet part of a supporters group are welcome and encouraged to attend to meet members of each group - and maybe even decide which one might be the best fit for them in 2010!

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. MT

Where: Club Real, presented by Budweiser, at Rio Tinto Stadium (2nd floor)

Thursday, April 8

Fan for Life Fest

Real Week 2010 continues Thursday night with the Fan for Life Fest at Rio Tinto Stadium. A beefed-up version of the popular Carnival Real festival, Thursday's Fan for Life Fest will be open to all RSL fans from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the stadium's East Lawn and will include a little something for everyone, including free food, courtesy of KFC Restaurants; mini-fields for pick-up street soccer games with the folks from Calle; live entertainment via a local "Battle of the Bands" contest; inflatable bounce houses and games for the kids; an opportunity to get photos taken with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy; and much more!

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. MT

Where: East Lawn of Rio Tinto Stadium

Friday, April 9

RSL "Media Blitz"

Real Salt Lake players and coaches will be making the rounds to visit with Salt Lake media affiliates throughout the afternoon and evening on Friday. The RSL contingent will include the MLS Cup Trophy at several stops, at which fans will be encouraged to show up and get their photo taken with the League's top prize. A full itinerary of the RSL "Media Blitz" will be released to media and the public once finalized early in the week.

Saturday, April 10

RSL Home Opener v. Seattle Sounders FC

The weeklong build-up will end with a bang on Saturday night, when Real Salt Lake plays hosts to Seattle Sounders FC for an early-season Western Conference showdown in Sandy. The night begins with the opening of the Carnival Real pre-game festival on the stadium's East Lawn at 5:00 p.m. MT. Fans will want to take their seats plenty early for Saturday's pre-game ceremony beginning around 6:30 p.m., when the unfurling of the MLS Cup 2009 Championship banner from the Rio Tinto Stadium rafters and the issuing of the 2009 championship rings to remaining members of the team's roster, coaching staff and ownership will take place. That will certainly get "RSL Nation" worked into a fever pitch for the 7:00 p.m. kickoff, when Real Salt Lake and Seattle will look to get back into the win column following hard-fought losses in Week 2 action.

It should be a fun week of activities around the valley, hopefully I will be able to make it to a couple of these to provide you will photos and coverage of the events.  I am also going to try to make it to a practice this week, if things will allow for it.

So enjoy your week and I look forward to seeing you all back in Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday cheering on our MLS Cup Champions.

OFF MY SOAPBOX