Jenny’s Blog

Utah Doesn’t Deserve ReAL Salt Lake

Friday, February 2nd, 2007 |

This post is dedicated to my father-in-law, Bob. I know you’ve been waiting for a RSL post from me.

So once again. ReAL Salt Lake, the MLS team, is without a home. Discussions have been going back and forth for quite some time about where to build the stadium, and what funds to use. Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Caroon has decided he doesn’t want the stadium built in Sandy because…well, his reasons are unclear. He doesn’t really want to spend money, even though there is a great deal of support for the stadium. (Despite the fact that rumors were started that money was going to be taken from local public schools to build the stadium - complete nonsense.)

There are several reasons why keeping RSL in Utah is a good thing. It brings money. It makes Utah look like a real state (by having more than one professional sports team). It will help boost the quality and interest in local youth soccer programs. The games are fun! I could go on, but it is very near-sighted of Mayor Caroon to nix the building of a stadium because of perceived political pressure.

My hope is that the stadium will be built at some point, because the games are awesome, and my husband and I want to purchase season tickets. (Of course, those are purely selfish reasons.) There is nothing like going to a soccer game. All the seats are great, the games are exciting, and developing soccer programs will give the US a chance at moving up in world soccer rankings.

My hope is that the team will stay, but what team would want to be in a state that has made them feel so unwelcome with all of the runaround they’ve been getting in regards to their stadium? San Jose lost the Earthquakes because they wouldn’t build a stadium. Hopefully Salt Lake won’t be next, but who knows. RSL - you do have some big fans in Utah, and we went you to stay.

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