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Soccer in Utah will be on center stage tomorrow with the appearance at Rice-Eccles Stadium of one of the world's most recognized and valuable sports franchises. Real Madrid of Spain will play an exhibition game against Utah's Real Salt Lake.
Although only an exhibition - something many top soccer teams around the world do this time of year - it becomes something special for the people of Utah. Think of the Yankees playing at Franklin-Covey Field, or the Cowboys at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Imagine having Tiger Woods in the Utah Open, or Lance Armstrong in the Tour of Utah.
Real Madrid is the real deal.
Whether it boosts the chances of namesake Real Salt Lake succeeding in Utah, amidst the controversy of trying to build a permanent home stadium, remains to be seen. KSL hopes it does. As we've said before, it is important to find a way to keep Real Salt Lake in Utah, since the major league franchise is a visible asset that would benefit the entire state.
Regardless, tomorrow's exhibition match offers an opportunity for soccer fans throughout the region to bask for a fleeting moment in big time soccer . . . really big time soccer.
It's something all Utahns ought to pause for a moment to enjoy.
