In Salt Lake City, Aaron Falk wrote Real Salt Lake’s run through the U.S. Open Cup has “helped usher in nearly 50,000 more fans than Rio Tinto might see over the course of a regular year,” but the club “isn’t necessarily seeing huge benefits to its bottom line.” RSL President Bill Manning: “The final and semifinal aren’t actually financially that lucrative. Especially the final. It’s a U.S. Soccer event, and they take the bulk of it. So there’s only a little bit of money to be made." Falk noted RSL has seen its season-ticket sales “increase from 6,300 when the team moved into Rio Tinto Stadium in 2009 to 9,768 this year.” Winning the U.S. Open Cup “would mean significant allocation money” from MLS that would be used on top of the salary cap. Manning: “That’s significant because it allows us to keep players on this team that help us win” (SLTRIB.com, 8/8).
WOULDA, SHOULDA, COULDA: BIG APPLE SOCCER’s Kristian Dyer cited a source as saying that the Red Bulls “were among the teams that MLS originally enquired about on behalf of Clint Dempsey.” The source said Dempsey was “open to a switch” from EPL club Tottenham Hotspur to the Red Bulls. However, the source said that the club “decided not to pursue him.” The source noted that the team is “still looking at options for a Designated Player and hasn’t ruled out a move during this transfer window” (BIGAPPLESOCCER.com, 8/7).
FIRST FOR EVERYTHING: In Denver, Nick Groke reports the Rapids have signed Panama F Gabriel Torres, marking the club’s first signing of a Designated Player “under the ‘Beckham Rule.’” The signing ends a “long and winding pursuit of the much-sought, up-and-coming star” (DENVER POST, 8/9).
YOUR DESIGN HERE: In Seattle, Nick Eaton noted the Sounders “will be taking submissions through Aug. 16 for the scarf design contest.” Fans “must use a scarf design template” available on the team’s website and must upload their designs via SoundersFC.com/ScarfVote. Five design finalists “will be chosen by the Sounders FC Alliance Council, a group of season-ticket holders who represent fans to the club’s ownership group.” Between Aug. 25-Sept. 3, season-ticket holders “will be able to vote online for their favorite scarf design” (SEATTLEPI.com, 8/7).
