RSL Soapbox: FanPosts

REAL SALT LAKE ACQUIRES U.S. UNDER-20 MIDFIELDER LUIS GIL FROM KANSAS CITY WIZARDS

2010-02-23T23:30:18Z

Here is the official RSL press release on Luis Gil:

RSL Gives Wizards International Player Slot, 2011 Second Round Draft Pick and Future Considerations in Return for Budding Playmaker

SANDY, Utah (Tuesday, February 23, 2010) - Real Salt Lake made a move with its future in mind via a trade today with the Kansas City Wizards, as the defending MLS Cup Champion acquired U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team midfielder Luis Gil from the Eastern Conference side in return for a second round selection in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, an International Player roster slot, and 25 percent of any future transfer fee received by RSL for Gil from a club outside MLS. Kansas City acquired the 17-year-old midfielder in a weighted lottery held by the League on Monday.

"Real Salt Lake provides a prime environment for the development of young players," said RSL GM Garth Lagerwey. "The track record that Jason Kreis and our coaching staff have of nurturing talent is exemplary, and the dream of venturing onto the Rio Tinto Stadium turf will surely inspire Luis to work hard every day in training. We have a talented, veteran team and we have no expectation that any young player will easily crack our championship lineup, though our hope is that Luis is eventually able to earn minutes in the years ahead."

More after the jump:

Gil has already garnered plenty of attention, the California native turning down the Mexican Football Federation's overtures in order to represent the United States at the youth international level, which he's already done on 32 occasions. Eighteen of those "caps" came in 2009, when he registered four goals and four assists and served as the youngest member of the USA's squad at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria. Gil did more than just tag along for the tournament, serving in the #10 playmaking role for the squad and dishing out one assist while proving to be one of the U.S. side's steadier players in the competition.

For his stellar play in 2009, Gil became the youngest player since 2003 to win U.S. Soccer's Young Male Athlete of the Year award, which is when ex-RSL member Freddy Adu captured the honor. Gil, who had reportedly received interest from some of Europe's most prestigious clubs, played his youth soccer with Southern California club Pateadores before joining the U.S. Under-17 Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. for its Spring 2008 semester.

Luis Gil

Position: Midfielder

Height: 5-8

Weight: 155

Born: November 14, 1993

Hometown: Garden Grove, Calif.

College: N/A

Citizenship: USA

Last Club: U.S. Under-20 MNT

ACQUIRED: Via trade on 2/23/10 from Kansas City Wizards in exchange for 2011 MLS SuperDraft selection, an International Player roster slot, and future transfer fee considerations

U.S. Youth National Teams

Has represented the United States on 36 occasions, scoring six goals ... U.S. Under-20's: Has four appearances and one goal since entering U-20 player pool as part of 36-player camp in mid-December 2009 ... Made U-20 debut with 90-minute effort in opening game of Copa Chivas tournament in Guadalajara v. Pachuca on 1/22/10, scoring the USA's lone goal in the 1-3 defeat ... Also made appearances on 1/23 v. Brazil (1-1 T), 1/24 v. Tigres (0-1 L), and 1/26 v. Atlas (1-1 T) ... U.S. Under 17's: Made 32 appearances (5 goals) for the U.S. U-17s after joining the Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. for the Spring 2008 semester ... Made 18 appearances in 2009, scoring 4G & 4A en route to being named U.S. Soccer's Young Male Athlete of the Year ... Registered one assist while serving in the playmaking role in each of the USA's four contests in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria ... Was the youngest member of the United States squad at the tournament ... Assisted on Nick Palodichuk's goal in the Round of 16 match against Italy on 11/04/09, a 1-2 L that bounced the USA from the competition ... His four goals were second best on the team in 2009 ... Went the full 90 minutes in Group Stage matches on 10/26/09 v. Spain (1-2 L), 10/29/09 v. Malawi (1-0 W), and 11/01/09 v. United Arab Emirates (1-0 W) ... Performance in Nigeria garnered attention from such European giants as Arsenal and Real Madrid ...

Club Soccer

Grew up in Garden Grove, Calif. and played for SoCal youth soccer powerhouse Pateadores, whose roster of alums includes Maurice Edu, John Thorrington and Dan Califf ...

Personal

Luis' older brother, Brian, was also a member of the U.S. U-17 Residency Program under former RSL coach John Ellinger, who invited the elder Gil to train with the nascent MLS side in 2005 & 2006 (2A in 7 MLS Reserve Division games with RSL Reserves) ...

OFF MY SOAPBOX

Thoughts on RSL and MLS Schedules

2010-02-03T23:40:16Z

The 2010 MLS team schedules were released today, as I'm sure anyone checking the MLS blogosphere during the offseason knows. The complete schedule can be seen @MLSnet and Salt Lake's schedule is here @RSLSoapbox. I offer my insights, or more realistically my musings, after the jump.

Every game will be televised, which is a luxury we as RSL fans got to enjoy last year. The beauty this season is that 1/3 of the matches will be broadcast nationally, and over 50 games will be presented in high definition. The increased television coverage matches the increased presence of MLS in the conscience of the American sports world. ESPN still isn't bending over backwards for us, but they seem to be at least politely acknowledging our existence. This is a big step forward from the somewhat disdainful acknowledgement they've shown us in the past. As an MLS fan that rarely watches any matches not featuring 'his' team, I can hardly blame them. Though its nice to see they are paying attention, and working to further the presence of soccer in America.

This is the first year that every team will see each opponent exactly twice. It is a huge step in legitimizing the league for the euro snobs among us. For many fans of the MLS, this type of balanced schedule has been a high priority in terms of milestones in development. We finally have the number of teams required to make it work. The collective noise of all the "MLS to-do lists" receiving check marks for this feat would be deafening. Having this kind of balance could also increase the amount of prestige winning the Supporters Shield might have for clubs. Which isn't to say conferences and the postseason need to be eliminated, but I'm sure some will make the case.

For Real Salt Lake, we have perhaps the best schedule we've had yet, and certainly better than last year's mess, where we played 6 games in May and August. Our fixtures this year are infinitely more spread out.. The only real lull is in June when we play three matches. Not bad, considering that big tournament in Africa. Our longest breaks without a game will be the 15 days for the world cup, and 13 soccer free days in August.

It will be hard to squeeze in our CCL matches. A single friendly looks like all we will see at Rio Tinto. If any of the talk about big names pans out, I'll be perfectly fine with that. I'm fighting off the urge to cough "Ajax" as I write this, a thought I have to share if there is any chance someone from the front office might read this.

There are three points in the season to dread, and they have nothing to do with scheduled opponents, and everything to do with not being able to get my RioT fix. Right now there are no games scheduled in Sandy from 4/11-4/30, 7/3-7/23 and again 9/26-10/15.

I'm holding out road trip plans until the CCL schedule is released. At least now we can dictate to our loved ones when we WON'T be vacationing, and we can start greasing the wheels of distant relatives and friends of friends living in MLS cities* before we hit them up for sleeping quarters. Until then, can't wait for the day San Jose gets to behold this Royal Army.

*Dear College Roommate's Aunt in Seattle,

I hear it is lovely up there in September....

A cool event for those going to the Utah Jazz game tonight

2010-02-03T17:09:07Z

So I am not a big NBA fan, despite working for the Minnesota Timberwolves during their first two years of existence, but I would actually head down to Energy Solutions Arena tonight if I had the chance. The Utah Jazz are playing host to not only the Portland Trailblazers, the Jazz are also in the midst of a huge winning streak 10 of their last 11, but neither of those would get me there on their own.

Nope it is this news bit:
Twenty-five 2010 U.S. Olympic Team athletes to attend Utah Jazz game.

SALT LAKE CITY (February 1, 2010) - On Wednesday, February 3, 2010, during the Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers game, the Utah Jazz will recognize 25 athletes participating in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games held in Vancouver, British Columbia. Prior to the game, the athletes will sign autographs on the concourse from 6 to 7 p.m. and then be recognized on the court following the first quarter. These athletes are currently living and training in Utah.

Athletes attending are Aly Dudek (Speedskating), Anders Johnson (Ski Jumping), Andrew Weibrecht (Alpine Skiing), Curt Tomasevicz (Bobsled), Erik Fisher (Alpine Skiing), Jeret "Speedy" Peterson (Freestyle Skiing), Jordan Malone (Speedskating), JR Celski (Speedskating), Justin Olsen (Bobsled), Katherine Reutter (Speedskating), Katie Uhlaender (Skeleton), Kimberly Derrick (Speedskating), Lana Gehring (Speedskating), Marco Sullivan (Alpine Skiing), Noelle Pikus-Pace (Skeleton), Scott Macartney (Alpine Skiing), Shauna Rohbock (Bobsled), Simon Cho (Speedskating), Steve Nyman (Alpine Skiing), Steve Mesler (Bobsled), Steven Holcomb (Bobsled), Ted Ligety (Alpine Skiing), TJ Lanning (Alpine Skiing), Travis Jayner (Speedskating) and Zach Lund (Skeleton).

The 2010 Olympic Winter Games begin on February 12 and feature 216 athletes from the United States.

So if you are heading down to the game tonight, head down early and get a chance to meet some Olympic athletes.

OFF MY SOAPBOX

2010 RSL Home Jersey

2010-01-14T21:40:42Z

Here they are:

Frank Klopas does not (heart) JK

2010-01-13T22:00:52Z

Chicago's technical director took a backhanded swipe at the reigning MLS championship manager. Judge for yourself.

My Salt Lake Story

2009-12-29T03:32:50Z

This story isn't really about me, nor about the Sounders. I am posting it right where it belongs, on a blog dedicated to the current holders of the MLS Cup - Real Salt Lake. It is a story about the fans, but not the hundreds that I met over the MLS Cup Final weekend, but instead it is about those that traveled to the regular season match here.

You see I started this little tradition of visiting the away support section and thanking those that travel to support their team. I can't travel right now, the economics don't work out, but I love those that do. Even those that support the opposition.

When I visited the San Jose fans they threatened me with violence (Brad Pitt wannabees), and mocked me for not supporting the Sounders in the past (my first Sounders match was in 1999). I should have asked them why they didn't support the Bay Seals.

When I visited the Toronto fans they were just Canadians who live in Seattle full time. Mostly they were from BC too, which should be real fun in another year.

When I visited the Fire fans - wait those were Timbers fans. I didn't visit. They took the worst of the TA and paid them to put on Fire gear. There was nothing to thank.

Throughout the season I did what I could to shake a few hands and say thank you. Sometimes security didn't want me to do so, and then I just shouted thank you.

But I had the good fortune of going right into 203 during Salt Lake's visit to Seattle during the season and talking to those fans. Not only were they pleasant, but disappointed, they were also welcoming. So much so that a man and woman I had just met said "When you come to Salt Lake on a road trip you can stay in our basement."
I say again, this couple invited my seatmates and I to stay at their home for a proper weekend of soccer. The understanding was that there would be a sporting battle on gameday between the lines, but that before and after there would just be joy, love of the game and companionship.

It lead us to thinking, if our group of five does one road trip this year, it will be to Salt Lake. Not to take up that offer, but because we want to be welcomed into a city, even as rivals in the stadium.

Time for tickets

2009-12-18T00:48:01Z

I attended seven Real Salt Lake home games this year. I would have liked to attend more, but lack of funds, failing to plan ahead and work obligations made it tough. I did subscribe to the MLS internet broadcasts and eventually watched every match this season, including every glorious minute of the MLS Cup Final.

While I don't hang out on the Big Soccer boards all day or watch match replays over and over, I read every mainstream media article and most of the fan blogs, and consider myself a pretty big RSL fan. Now I'm ready to become a season ticket holder.

So my question is: what's the best option? Cheapest seats possible? Any particular section? Do I join a supporters group? Which one? (I know Denz is a Rogue Cavalier Brigade guy.) Looking for some advice from anyone on here, or maybe some fellow committed fans to sit and watch with. Or anyone else's experiences with buying season tickets or joining supporters clubs would be useful too. What say you?

Great Victory, a reflection of coaching & players will

2009-11-24T04:59:52Z

Four of us flew to Seattle to watch the game, I had bought 4 Sounders tickets on their ticket exchange. We were about 6 rows up in the north end zone, looking about 20 yards out from the edge of the goal.

On the venue: I really enjoy Seattle as a city, plenty to see, eat and do. I don't love Qwest Field for soccer, reminds me of Rice Eccles, to wide, and puts the spectators at to large a distance for good viewing. I feel like it was very unfortunate to play on artificial turf. It affected play. Sitting around Sounders fans they would comment on the choppy play and poor flow and how RSL wouldn't stand the test of the might Galaxy. A lot of it was due to the turf. balls were playing to fast and errant, balls definitely don't float at that altitude like they do at Rio Tinto. MLS should have demanded that they put grass in for this event. I also think some of the injuries could have been prevented. As for Sounders fans, I think they need a couple years of seasoning. They weren't sure what activity to clap for, and boo for, and its as if they expected some kind of Beckham-Donovan score fest. Have a little better expectation of a final game. Let the Sounders go through a few of RSL's seasons and lets see how the shimmer lasts. Often times I thought they were auditioning for an episode of Glee. They seem to be more interested in the impression they leave with the world, than watching the game. In my view Toronto FC is still the model of introducing a franchise. Cheerleaders, coordinated singing, marching band....no thanks I take my soccer traditionally with a side of Guinness. I did enjoy the pubs around and marching to the match. However, that area isn't what I would call welcoming.I felt the Seattle crowd was pro-Beckham. Many SLC fans may not know it, but the Galaxy published a letter in the Seattle Times congratulating the Sounders on a great season and asking for their support, signed by Beckham, Donovan, and Arena....Pathetic. The Sounders fans seemed to gobble it up. By the way, it was a hell of alot colder than I thought it would be. Wow!

On the officiating: I thought it was actually well officiated in the fact that it wasn't an effect on the game. The official let the players play, didn't make silly game changing calls, and kept the flow of play going just as he should. It wasn't a terribly chippy match. Sure you culd pick apart a few calls, but soccer is not about justice, its about playing and drama. This one had plenty of drama, but it was squarely on the shoulders of the players.

On the Play: Simply put, Jason did a great job adjusting for the injuries and the style of play on the field. The Galaxy showed their age, and lack of respect for RSL's possession game in the second half and extra time. I really expected the game to end 2-1 in RSL's favor as I thought the replaced keeper could have been tested earlier and a rebound goal could have been expected. I don't feel it was one of those incredibly flowing back and forth games with attacks and counterattacks, it was a game at the midfield, which was to RSL's advantage. Arena should have pulled Beckham at the half, he was clearly lethargic, and was slowing the entire play of the Galaxy. It reminded me of a quote by George Best on Beckhams play "He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that he's all right". It was very true in form last night. Overall, I was impressed with the fortitude of the RSL team and staff, they gutted it out, and didn't give up, even though the play was often chunky. Unbelievable composure through the shootout and extra time. You could just tell that RSL was a team, where Galaxy were a set of individuals on the same field. Simple huddles at the beginning of the half were representative of the attitude of RSL.

MLS has come along way since the early days. Excellent game, and an even better result. Go RSL! Proud to be a fan.

As a famous soccer coach once said "We didn't underestimate them, they were just alot better than we thought". Ditto. Great win RSL! We appreciate the tremendous effort.