RSL Hoping To Land Real Madrid As Opponent For '09 All-Star Game

RSL Would Like To See Real Madrid As MLS All-Star Opponent In '09

MLS yesterday officially announced that Real Salt Lake (RSL) will host the '09 MLS All-Star Game next July at its new stadium in Sandy, Utah, according to James Edward of the DESERET NEWS. The league's All-Star game traditionally is held in late July, and the past four seasons has featured a team of MLS players against a "well-known foreign team." Given the "relationship between" RSL and Spain's La Liga club Real Madrid, RSL Owner Dave Checketts was asked if Real Madrid was "his first choice for the MLS opponent in 2009." Checketts: "Yes. But those guys are so hard, their schedule, and the things they do. That's going to be tough." Edward notes the "big European clubs are hesitant to commit to exhibition games in the [U.S.] too early, primarily because of the UEFA Champions League." MLS President Mark Abbott said that awarding RSL with the game was an "easy choice based on the loyal fan base, the strong ownership group and the beautiful stadium, as well as the strong media and corporate support." RSL's new stadium is scheduled to open in October (DESERET NEWS, 7/10). Checketts said that he "began pestering MLS for the game about the time construction of the new stadium began, but he figured his best bet was for the 2010 affair." Checketts said that he was "surprised" that MLS awarded RSL the '09 event (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 7/10).