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A co-worker of mine asked me when ReAL Salt Lake starts up again for Major League Soccer play. I then informed him, in March sometime but, they start the CONCACAF Champions League on February 22.
His eyes then got wide and he said, "Man they have a long season."
From mid-November to the end of February is not an off-season at all really. But here it is and all because in the last season and a half RSL has been the benchmark of good soccer in this part of the world.
Yes, it will be a long season and historic for MLS. This will mark the first time two MLS teams will play in the Quarterfinals of the Champions League. It will mark the first time one will play in the Semifinals and possibly the Finals. Of course this is after the reformat of the tournament a few years back to look and feel more like Europe's Champion League tournament.
The first match will be at Columbus in what will be a frigged game. Well, maybe not too bad 43 is expected. For me anything below 20 is cold. The return date will be March 1st here at Rio Tinto, I'll get back on the weather after I talk to the boys of Channel 5.
This could be one of the best results that could happen to RSL and it's young history. This may not make them a lot of money. This is not like the Europe tourney were your franchise can make several million dollars just making it to the Group stage.
This will bring respect. For a league and team needing and wanting respect, it can be huge. Your team wins the champion league and the interest of players, good players goes up. Alvaro Saborio would not be an ReAL player if they were not playing in the Champions league.
Need I say more!
Now think about winning or even playing in the finals (which secures you to play in the tournament next go around).
Major League Soccer always gets compared to the Mexican league(s) and those players down south do notice. Let alone a high skilled youth player may be more inclined to start his carrier in North American because the competition has proven it's self good and he could play for a team that is proven in the Champions League.
Oh and should I mention that RSL's head coach Jason Kreis truly believes in going out and winning this thing. He knows what it will mean to players he wants to bring to Utah. It all revolves around respect.
It's hard to get non soccer fans to understand that winning a tournament like this or even playing in it means more in the long term then winning the league title. Your team is going up against the best from other leagues.
Eyes of the soccer world see this and that goes with those who have money. More money from investors equal's more salary cap and better pay, which brings better players.
Don't you want to brag that up? I would.
