By: Nicole Wardell

There is little doubt that throughout the globe, soccer is king. Whether it is known as soccer or football in your locale, it is the sport of choice for kids in any nation. For most kids between the ages of 12-18, soccer is a past-time, a sport, a passion, or a talent. For the children of South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, soccer is more than just sport; it is the difference between life and death for many. The non-profit organization, Grassroots Soccer, has created flagship sites in these countries that teach and empower the children of Africa to fight against the deadliest disease Africa has ever known—HIV and AIDS. And, they are using soccer to do it.

According to the organization, Avert, at the end of 2008, the number of people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa (Africa below the Sahara desert) was 22.4 million, nearly 3 times the population of New York City. 1.4 million people died from AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2008 and AIDS is now the leading cause of death in the region. Most AIDS deaths occur among young adults. The disease is not just an epidemic in the region, but is an epidemic of the greatest proportions (www.avert.org, 12 Apr 2010).

Tommy Clark, MD, played soccer in Zimbabwe. There he witnessed the tremendous popularity of soccer among children and adults. He simultaneously witnessed the devastating affects of the AIDS epidemic. In a country ravaged by the disease, the word AIDS or HIV was virtually unspoken. People became sick and died, but AIDS was not discussed; was not taught about; was brushed under the rug along with its millions of victims.

Clark refused to ignore what he saw. He decided to fight against the disease with the most powerful weapon he could find—soccer. Clark teamed up with Methembe Ndlovu, Ethan Zohn, and Kirk Friedrich to create Grassroots Soccer. The organization was founded in 2002. With help of Albert Bandura, the organization piloted an “interactive soccer-themed HIV prevention curriculum that was first implemented in Zimbabwe in 2003” (www.grassrootsoccer.org, 2010). After an independent review from the Children’s Health Council, a Stanford University affiliate group, the organization was awarded a three year program grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to continue and expand its work.

Today, the organization, known as GRS, is thriving, and teaching its graduates to do the same. They not only run their flagship sites out of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, they have also helped launch sustainable programs in Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Sudan, Tanzania, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. Additionally, they have launched effective collaboration projects with more than 30 government agencies across the globe. They have taught HIV prevention and live skills training to more than 270,000 young people throughout Sub-Saharan Africa alone. They have 61 employees and 300 volunteers working to ensure the success of this program.

With one of their core principals guiding them to, “Deliver programs through an effective and scalable model that uses football [soccer] to have a significant impact on the prevention of HIV/AIDS” (www.grassrootsoccer, 2010), they successfully touch the at-risk youth in Africa. Through the Grassroots “Skillz” curriculum, students learn to make healthy decisions, avoid risks, build support networks, reduce stigma and discrimination, increase knowledge about testing and treatment, address gender issues, and assess values.

Parents of a Grassroots soccer 2006 graduate explained that “We now feel comfortable sharing with our child that we are both HIV positive.” This simple act of opening a dialogue for many young people to discuss the disease can help save lives. Other participants in the program felt they would be able to overcome and cure AIDS since they now had “knowledge and power.” Additionally, local schools have noticed a significant decrease in teen pregnancies where the local youth participate in GRS.

The program has reported remarkable results with their program. The Children’s Health Council noted that:

A 2008 behavioral survey found that 2-5 years after the intervention, GRS graduates in Zimbabwe were nearly six-times less likely than their matched peers to report sexual debut between 12-15 years, four-times less likely to report sexual activity in the last year, and eight-times less likely to report ever having had more than one sexual partner. Six years after incorporation, there already exists substantial evidence documenting GRS’ impact in averting risky behavior, increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge, diminishing stigma, and breaking the silence surrounding HIV (www.grassroots.org, 2010).

Additionally, it was found that graduates from the program felt more comfortable talking about AIDS/HIV, knew where to go to get help with AIDS/HIV, felt comfortable providing emotional support to peers or families members infected, and learned that condoms are effective in combating the AIDS epidemic. The program also helps empower adolescent girls in a country where the disparity between genders is drastic.

This program is making huge strides to overcome this epidemic in Africa. GRS says “We tap the power and popularity of soccer to reach at-risk students, break stigmas, dramatically increase awareness, and change behaviors to combat HIV and AIDS” (www.grassroots.org, 2010).

GrassRoots Soccer Video on YouTube

The news surrounding Haiti’s earthquake is still shocking days later. For the soccer world, the news is no different. The Haitian Soccer Federation was meeting in Port-Au-Prince on Tuesday, January 12 when the 7.0 earthquake occurred. The Haitian Soccer Federation building was “a beautiful, antique” three story house according to Fernando Clavijo, US National Team defender and former coach of the Haitian National team. The house was unfinished and would have easily toppled when the seismic quake hit. Thirty coaches, referees, and officials died when the building collapsed according to the Caribbean Football Union. An additional twenty members of the federation are still unaccounted for. Yves-Jean Bart, the federation president, was badly injured but survived the quake. None of the national players were thought to be in the building when it collapsed.

Broward College soccer coach Ernst “Nono” Jean-Baptiste told reporters that Haiti “lost one of our best coaches, Jean-Yves Labaze. He led our under-17 team to the youth World Cup in Korea in 2007. Who knows what will happen to Haitian soccer now? At some point, people there will need therapy, and soccer will be the best therapy for them.” The Haitian National soccer team tied the US in the Orange Bowl on March 13, 2004 with a score of 1-1. Clavijo said, “It rips my heart out because the Haitian people were always happy, even though they had nothing. They celebrated that 1-1 tie for two days over there. Soccer brought them joy, and now, they truly have nothing.”

Jack Warner, the vice president of FIFA in the Caribbean region, the international soccer governing body told members of the soccer community that the football community stands in solidarity with Haiti. As our brothers and sisters face their darkest hour, we must let them know that they are not alone.” FIFA donated $250,000 to relief efforts and Warner pledged $100,000. Soccer all-stars from the MLS are also pledging their money and time to help aid the Haiti victims.

New York Red Bulls midfielder Seth Stammler, who had created the Sporting Chance Foundation in 2006 after witnessing the poverty and degradation of children living in Haiti, is raising funds to aid Haiti’s children. His foundation builds clean wells so Haitian communities can have clean drinking water and also supplies educational scholarships to Haitian children. A statement on the Sporting Chance website says, “Unfortunately, as the lines of communication are down, we have yet to determine the actual damage to the water well [the foundation] sponsored and are unaware of the status of the students that [the foundation] has provided scholarships to. Our hopes and prayers are with the students, their families, and the people affected by this horrible tragedy.” Stammler, wishing he could be in Haiti to help, is doing what he can from home by redirecting funds from his foundation towards disaster aid and sponsoring soccer events to help raise even more money. Soccer fans can contribute to the Haitian relief efforts by going to the foundation’s website at the Sporting Chance Foundation website.

Seattle Sounders FC players Steve Zakuani and James Riley are also doing something about the earthquake. The players are sponsoring a fundraising event at Seattle’s George and Dragon Pub. The event will take place from 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday after the US-Guatemala match. The MLS website says “Riley, Zakuani, and possibly some other teammates will be on hand for an autograph session after a viewing of the U.S.-Guatemala match on Saturday night. Additionally, Gorilla FC will be raffling off Sounders FC merchandise, including game-worn shoes from Zakuani and Patrick Lanni. Other merchandise is rolling in and the club has provided glossy photographs of the team for autographs, which can also be obtained for a small suggested donation.All proceeds will benefit Doctors Without Borders Emergency Relief. An anonymous donor has pledged to match all proceeds up to $2,500 dollars and Zelko is actively pursuing additional corporate sponsors. According to Zelko, the sentiment to assist the victims of the earthquake is resonating in the local community.”

In March 2009, Major League Soccer (MLS) commissioner, Don Garber, announced the addition of two new expansion teams to the MLS soccer program. Vancouver, Canada and Portland, Oregon were the latest additions. The expansion of MLS in the Northwest was met with both excitement and dismay. While seven cities vied for the two 2010 expansion slots, the decision came down to two teams in the same region, the PAC-NW. Some critics felt that the addition of both teams in the Western division creates an unfair advantage for the Western division with 10 teams on their roster vs. the 8 in the Eastern division. Others feel that the addition of these two teams is a way to create rivals, thus increasing competition and fan base. Both expansion teams would have rivals with Seattle and Toronto already in the league. Regardless of the supporters and critics of the expansion, it is clear that the MLS is pushing ahead with expansion.

Major League Soccer, the top level soccer in the US and Canada, was established in 1993 with ten teams. America had hopes of hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup but lacked one requirement, a professional first division league. Since the collapse of the North American Soccer League in 1985 due to overexpansion and lack of revenue, the US had been without a professional league. The MLS initial ten teams were chosen carefully and in cities believed to have an already strong soccer market in place according to little league soccer rosters, support of soccer secondary and post-secondary institutions, and sales of soccer equipment and gear. The goal of the MLS was that the ten teams would create a strong core for the league with the ten teams serving as the backbone of the league. Expansion into other cities could be considered after the initial ten teams had a chance to create solid foundations for the MLS. The teams chosen included the Columbus Crew, DC United, NY/NJ Metro Stars, Tampa Bay Mutiny, New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids, Dallas Burn, Kansas City Wiz, Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Clash. By using American Football Leagues stadiums, the league officially began play in April 1996.

In 1998 the MLS expanded from ten teams to twelve, adding Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion to the league. After what appeared to be a great start to the league, the MLS experienced problems with fan base, revenue, and floundering attendance. It was also felt that the small number of owners of the twelve teams prevented further expansion. The league responded by replacing MLS Commissioner Doug Logan with Don Garber. Garber came after 16 successful years with the NFL. His first concern was that the MLS needed stadiums of their own. In 1998 not one of the soccer clubs had their own stadiums. He placed an emphasis on the construction of soccer-specific stadiums (SSS) for existing and future teams. In fact, the ability to create an SSS became a requirement for any teams considered for expansion in the following years. Within ten years nearly all MLS teams had a stadium of their own with additional stadiums in the works.

Unfortunately, the financial strain on some of the clubs was too great and in 2002 both Florida teams, the Miami Fusion and the Tampa Bay Mutiny withdrew from the MLS, taking the MLS from twelve teams back to ten. In 2002, the US national team surprised fans with their successful showing at the 2002 World Cup. They reached the semi-quarter finals and played well against soccer giants from around the world. This sparked a renewed interest in soccer at a national level and the MLS saw a spike in game attendance. Cities began showing interest in hosting their own MLS teams and the MLS began its goal of expansion once more.

In 2004 the team announced the addition of two new teams for the 2005 season. Los Angeles became the first city to host two teams with the addition of Chivas USA. This team hoped to gain the support of the Hispanic community and had close ties to the Mexican soccer powerhouse club in Guadalajara, Club Deportivo Guadalajara. The addition of Chivas USA also introduced the first cross-town rivalry, allowing for a local derby game held at the Home Depot Center between the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA. Support for the local derby game was phenomenal and the MLS found a gold mine in rival play. Salt Lake Real was the second expansion team added to the 2005 season. The Real was owned by Dave Checketts, a sports businessman who had helped the Utah Jazz and the New York Knicks make a name in the NBA. He was also the president of Madison Square Gardens.

In 2005 the San Jose Earthquakes were suspended due to lack of an SSS. The MLS relocated them to Houston, Texas where they became the Houston Dynamo. The franchise adamantly declared their resolve to return to San Jose and did so in 2008. The Houston Dynamo was disbanded after the 2006 season and The San Jose earthquakes were reformed in 2007 and played the 2008 season.

In 2007 the MLS expanded into Canada with the Toronto FC. It was initially feared the UEFA, the governing European soccer board, might block this jump across national borders. The UEFA had no objections and the Toronto FC became the first Canadian team in the MLS. Expansion continued and in 2009 the Seattle Sounders were added and in 2010 the Philadelphia Union.

With the addition of the new 2011 teams, the MLS will have eighteen teams. They have also announced their long-term goal of having 20 teams by 2012. Atlanta, Birmingham, Detroit, Miami, Montreal, New York, Ottawa, and St Louis are all teams hoping for one of the two spots in the 2012 expansion. St Louis, Ottawa, and Montreal are the most likely contenders for the slots; however, St Louis has presented some concern over financial backing. New York is a close contender as well, looking on and hoping for one of the slots. Some feel that adding two new teams so close on the heels of the 2011 expansion may be bad for the MLS, adding a financial burden to the league. MLS star player David Beckham, as part of his contract with the MLS, would have the option of owning the 20th team.

Regardless of expansion wars and bids, it is clear that the MLS has found a home in the United States and a fan base to match their enthusiastic goal.
For more information on expansion, visit the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_of_Major_League_Soccer#Philadelphia_.282010.29

http://web.mlsnet.com/index.jsp

“This is our time” was the mantra heard at half-time by the players of the Real Salt Lake soccer team head coach Jason Kreis. His charge to make themselves legends did not go unheeded. Real Salt Lake, a mere five years into the young team’s creation, earned a place in history on November 22, 2009. They rallied hard and played exceptional soccer to win the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup 2009. Kreis reminded his players before the game in Seattle to “Be Confident, Be Aggressive, Be Bold!” and that is just what they did. Homeboy Nick Rimando, the MVP, and Kyle Beckerman, captain and goalkeeper of Real Salt Lake, led their team to a 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy. Their win included a win over the leagues most famous soccer player, David Beckham. The Real win stunned not only Galaxy but most MLS fans as well. The game was intense and exciting and was won through a penalty kick shootout.

Salt Lake is no stranger to coming close to a championship win by one of its major league teams only to be disappointed. But the Real Salt Lake soccer club pulled through with a win for their fans as well as themselves. We would like to congratulate the team on their victory. The 2009 team consisted of Jean Alexandre #12, Kyle Beckerman #5 (Captain), Tony Beltran #2, Nat Borchers #6, Pablo Campos #19, Raphael Cox #23, Rachid El Khalifi #21, Fabian Espindola #16, Robbie Findley #10, Nelson Gonzalez #22, Neb Grabavoy #20, David Horst #33, Will Johnson #8, Clint Mathis #84, Javier Morales #11, Yura Movsisyan #14, Alex Nimo #7, Tino Nunez #25, Jamison Olave #4, Kyle Reynish #24, Nick Rimando #18 (MVP), Robbie Russell #3, Andy Williams #77, and Chris Wingert #17.

Congratulations to the team on their win and a heartfelt thanks from the fans of the Real Salt Lake team. While coach Jason Kreis was ecstatic over the win, in early December he sent out a letter to the fans of the Real Salt Lake. He reminded them that now was not the time to be complacent. He hopes to keep his team on top and reminded fans that they are an integral part of his teams success. He urged fans to buy season tickets for the 2010 year, be bold in wearing the team logo and colors to promote Real Salt Lake and to be aggressive in educating the city, region, state, and world about the Real’s accomplishments as well as their long term goals. He hopes to pack the stands at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah next year. He implores his fans to take advantage of the Christmas specials for season tickets and to continue to prove that Real Salt Lake fans are the best fans in Major League Soccer.

The US House of Representatives commended the Real for their accomplishment, claiming that if ever there was a Cinderella team, this was one. Representative Stephen Lynch, D-Mass. touted their success by saying “Real Salt Lake’s commitment to teamwork and perseverance in the face of adversity is both inspiring and commendable. Their achievement deserves our praise.”

Gregg Sports would like to congratulate Real Salt Lake for a well deserved and fantastic season. While we enjoy all the MLS teams and their effort and dedication, we have a special place in our hearts for our hometown team, Real Salt Lake. Thanks for their dedication and hard work and thanks for making this our time as well as their time!

You couldn’t have grown up in Utah in the 80’s and 90’s and not been subject to the excitement that was the Utah Jazz. And you couldn’t possibly be familiar with the Utah Jazz, without feeling a sense of involvement in the great rivalry that existed between the Utah Jazz, and the Chicago Bulls.
I was first introduced to the excitement of professional basketball games through an aunt that had season tickets, and quite frequently would call me up, and invite me to attend a game. And it was through those games that I came to realize how much Americans love their sporting events. Coming from Utah, as I did, I didn’t spend a lot of time involved in sports, or attending sporting events. With the only professional team being the Utah Jazz – it was something that was quite foreign to me, as with most Utahns. Even today, this is still very much the case, with the REAL being a fairly new team in the sporting arena. And it wasn’t until the 90’s, with the dramatic rise of the Jazz that the popularity of the sport became a major event.

The magic of the team, and how they worked together was beyond exciting. And the pick and roll developed into something that was recognized throughout the league, thanks to the Stockton to Malone combination. Add into that the almost unfailing accuracy of Jeff Hornacek, and the speed of the rest of the team on the court, and it became evident that watching a game was something that was special. Something that could take you back to your youth, and one could enjoy a couple of hours free from the adult world!

But it wasn’t until Chicago came to town that you realized how great those games could really be. The amazing combination of Stockton and Malone, pitted against Jordan and Pippin rapidly became a defining moment for the NBA – and not just in Utah but throughout the nation. This rivalry had the capacity to bring both stadiums to their feet for the entire game – and the rivalry pulled in even the fans. It never stopped at the sidelines, but the games became electric, and created a feeling of overwhelming community spirit in the entire arena.

The shot that confirmed Jordan’s amazing ability, at the time, made the year of 1998 a year to be remembered in all of NBA history. And though it was a painful loss to Utah – it is a series, and a game that no one in Utah would ever have missed. It was the defining moment of what it takes for players to become more than average – it was a demonstration of what it takes to rise to the level of legend.

The rivalry that existed between the players was a manifestation of the feelings of the fans as well, and that rivalry was taken very seriously. But it was all still in good fun. The fans loved these games – and they loved their respective players. And the players and the fans in both Chicago and Utah demonstrated what it means to find enjoyment through professional sports. And it is this memory that is currently being tarnished through the actions of players, and coaches of the development league, as well as the actions of the officiators.

When news headlines start turning to the corruption of the officials, and their involvement in betting scams. Or the poor judgment of the D-league staff, in conjunction with former players to try to capitalize off of former rivalries, to draw in money from fans, it is a clear demonstration that the sport is loosing something.

This month in Utah, the development league opened its season with a ploy to draw attention to what some considered in poor taste – Michael Jordan’s drafting into the NBA hall of fame. It was at this time that apparently Bryon Russell issued a challenge for a one-on-one charity event, to provide the opportunity for Jordan and Russell to settle old differences. The old rivalry aside, Brandt Andersen, the owner of the Utah Flash, of the D-league, publicized his willingness to offer $100,000 for this one-on-one game, to be played at a half time event of the opening game of the Utah Flash. Unfortunately, in an attempt to turn this into a great opportunity for publicity, Mr. Andersen, and Mr. Russell carried the promotion too far, with a pretend Jordan making appearances all over town, and finally at the half time event.

What is so frustrating about events such as this is that it detracts from what is truly great about the professional sport events. It didn’t matter what Michael Jordan had to say off the court – because he could never be as eloquent, as when he had a basketball in his hands. Bryon Russell was an incredible shooter and Stockton to Malone became a catch phrase throughout the NBA. But it wasn’t the players that made the sport great. It was their commitment to being the best at what they did that created the magic of professional sports.

It is this magic that fans are looking for, and it is this kind of magic that fans want to see return to the court. Dwelling on the past is no way to inspire the new generation of fans. But rather, giving new players the opportunity to grow and develop their talents to a degree that new superstars are created, and new players are given the opportunity to rise to even greater heights. The days of retired players are past – and we will always remember them with fondness. However, it is not the glory of past rivalries that are going to inspire the fans of today. It is time for modern coaches, and development leagues to stop living vicariously through old masters – and find and develop new talent that may exist much closer to the courts of today.

If the NBA development league wants to draw in more fans – give them something to cheer for besides old memories – and the exploitation of old remembrances, which are in very poor taste.

In January, 2006 Adidas acquired Reebok International, Ltd., the current exclusive uniform and apparel provider for the National Basketball Association (NBA). Following this acquisition, Adidas proceeded to sign an eleven (11) year contract with the NBA, taking over the position of the exclusive uniform and apparel provider. Over the next three years this move would prove to be advantageous for all parties involved. With the NBA’s efforts to bolster their international image, especially with the rise of international basketball teams throughout many nations being developing rapidly, the NBA has found a great powerhouse in the internationally recognized Adidas name to achieve this goal. This move also made it possible for the Adidas Company to gain stronger recognition in the United States through the NBA connection, and Reebok would continue to manufacture and provide the sports shoes that have made them a well recognized commodity, under the Adidas ownership.
This move has allowed the NBA to move forward with an aim to global marketing of the NBA products, and apparel, while at the same time increasing the number of retail outlets open to an international market. This market includes over 100,000 retail stores in 100 counties, as well as the world’s only NBA Store in Now York City, as well as the NBAStore.com. In conjunction with this new image, the NBA is making significant moves in community outreach programs through charity contributions, which continues to improve their image throughout the world, and making the NBA much more than and “American” past-time, but also an internationally recognized organization, with significant ties to the international community as a whole.

It is only recently that this new, international image is being called into question through New York Senator, Chuck Schumer, and the American Classic Outfitters Company of New York; the original, local manufacturer for the NBA’s official jerseys and shorts for a portion of the NBA. Citing issues such as American pride in products made inside the United States, and the inappropriateness of producing official jerseys, outside of the United States for an “American” sport.

In these hard economic times, particularly at this time of year, the concern for the loss of positions that this could potentially produce is a significant concern, and one that Senator Schumer appears to be capitalizing on. Suggesting that American’s have a sole right to the NBA under the auspices that it is “an American Sport,” Senator Schumer has stated that to take production anywhere else would be “an insult to the American worker and sports fans everywhere in America.”

In a time when the world is becoming smaller, and communication has made most sports an international commodity – it is a huge step backwards for this country to start claiming ownership for any one specific sport. In a time when the American image is severely bruised due to international incidents over the past several years, it is important to realize that the goals of the NBA are a positive step towards restoring some international good will. Sporting events have always produced not only a sense of national pride, but also a pulling together among nations. It is a manifestation of the things that unite us, not the events that so frequently tear us apart as nations.

The Adidas Company is taking steps to reduce the cost of production for a portion of the uniforms being produced for NBA teams. In an effort to increase production, and make it more financially conducive to making a quality product, Adidas has moved the manufacturing for this portion of the production to an out of country manufacturer, which is closer to the material being used for production. This is a business strategy to offset the rising costs of production, and still increase the NBA recognition at the same time.

Senator Schumer’s attempt to turn this into a political issue is another demonstration of the governmental attempt to enforce the will of those in office on the practices of private business, a trend that is increasing in popularity at a rapid rate. Governments have no place in the decisions of private business, particularly not in a capitalistic society such as the United States. The business decisions of the Adidas Corporation should be no exception to this decision, regardless of if they are located in the country or out. Many businesses have to make similar manufacturing decisions in this country. And if American manufacturers wish to compete it is their responsibility to find a way to make it financially feasible to produce products that can compete with the international market. This has always been the practice of the American manufacturer, to find ways to compete in a global market. To rely on government to use its considerable power to “level the playing field” is more un-American than having NBA players wear uniforms that have been manufactured in another country.

Two tickets to the Major League Soccer (MLS) All Star Game at Rio Tinto stadium: $80

Two stadium hot dogs, drinks, and churros: $12

Seeing the look on my soccer fan’s face when the MLS score their first goal: Priceless

This was not the scenario for my son and I on July 29th at the MLS All Stars vs. Everton Football Club (FC) (from Liverpool, England) soccer game. And I regret missing that opportunity. I know opportunities like this will come again, after all, we now live a little over an hour away from the awesome Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. However, this was the first time the MSL All Star game was every played here. Tickets seemed a little pricey for me and the ride there is a long one, what would I do with my other kids for the night… and the excuses went on and on. And of course, I heard the next day that the game was incredible!

In the very first few moments of the game Louis Saha from Everton FC enlivened the game with a steal and a goal. The MLS All-Stars pushed back in the 26th minute of the first half. With some fancy footwork and an assist by Stuart Holden, Brad Davis scored the first goal for MLS, tying the game. Then in a string of attempted and failed score attempts, the MLS can’t put the ball in the net. Not because of lack of skill but because they were faced with the skill of Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard. His saves were incredible; diving, lunging, shielding, and keeping the ball out of the net. Early in the second half, MLS goalkeeper Zach Thornton was injured while deflecting a goal attempt. He was replaced by Kasey Keller, making his All Star Debut.

When regulation play ended in a 1-1 tie, it was time for a penalty shoot-out. After a few tense minutes and amazing goal keeping once more from Tim Howard of the Everton club, the game ended 3-4 for Everton FC.

The team we would have been cheering for would have lost the game. At times that can put a damper on things however, after this fast paced and action packed game, little would have put out the spirits of my little league soccer player. So I have vowed the next opportunity we have, we are taking advantage of the professional soccer team we have here in our state.

Our Rio Tinto stadium is amazing and the Real Salt Lake is pretty amazing as well. Don’t have a professional team close by? Try USL second division teams, semi-pro league games, or local high school or college teams (which will cost a lot less). Take your child to the sport they love, let them see it in action. Whether they like soccer or hockey, baseball or softball, football or basketball or or maybe even gymnastics or ice skating. Make some memories that both of you can share and enjoy.

Major League Soccer (MLS) changed Utah’s professional sports landscape forever with the historic announcement that Salt Lake City gained a second major league sports franchise when Real Salt Lake began Major League Soccer competition in 2005.

Real Salt Lake was the league’s 12th team. The dramatic news established Utah as a progressive, growing climate for major league sports and similar events. The Utah Jazz of the NBA has called the state home since 1979. Competition for the team was keen and Salt Lake’s success on the international stage with the Olympics, which brought it positive attention from around the world, was part of what went into making this decision.

Dave Checketts is the principal owner of Sports Capital Partners (SCP) which owns Real Salt Lake. Checketts has a long history in major league sports management. In 2004 Checketts got the approval from Real Madrid’s board of directors to use the name for his new team.

There were more than a few snickers and negative comments when the team in Major League Soccer was named Real Salt Lake. In the case of the names of soccer clubs, real is used to mean royal. This name is bestowed on a number of clubs by the Spanish crown. The team’s name was initially mocked and met with distrust and many fans thought the name should more accurately reflect the Salt Lake area. Things have changed now and over time the name has come to be accepted.

The club has successfully instituted a formal relationship with Real Madrid that brings it numerous advantages. Checketts wanted to attach his team to a successful soccer club, Real Madrid, one the most valuable soccer teams in the world, as well as to develop a brand that was clearly associated with soccer. The team’s uniform and colors were inspired by the Spanish national team.

The league selected Utah for several reasons, including Checketts experience and Utah’s unique demographics which make it particularly appealing to the MLS. Boasting a rapidly growing Hispanic and Latino population, as well as a significant Eastern European population, the league found that Utah has a significant soccer fan base already in place and has the nation’s highest per-capita participation in organized soccer, estimated at more than 200,000 players.

Real Salt Lake has just announced that it has partnered with the Rio Tinto Group (Rio Tinto is the parent company of Kennecott Utah) for naming rights at its brand-new 20,000-seat stadium in Sandy. The fourth-year franchise opened its new state-of-the-art soccer venue with a pair of home games. This is just the latest welcome development in the club’s growth since its inaugural season in Utah. A new stadium opening in the midst of a breakout year in MLS play has left a definite feel that everything is coming together at the right time.

The year was 1915 when a forlorn California team was sold to Salt Lake City businessman Bill “Hardpan” Lane. On March 31, 1915, the first Pacific Coast League (PCL) game was played in the state of Utah and the Salt Lake Bees were born into the PCL.

The team drew loyal fans reasonably well but other teams in the PCL took exception to the cost of traveling to Salt Lake City. After the 1925 season it was suggested to Lane that he transfer his team to Southern California. In 1926, the team moved to Los Angeles and became known as the Hollywood Stars. The team transferred again and from 1936 to 1968 played as the San Diego Padres. Salt Lake City was without a baseball team until 1946 when it received a franchise in the Pioneer League. Salt Lake City went thirty-three years before the Pacific Coast League returned.

The second version of the Hollywood Stars was forced to relocate when the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles. This second version of the Bees began play in the PCL in 1958. In 1963 the Bees gained their first full affiliation with a major league club, as they spent the next years under the wings of the Chicago Cubs. The team would withdraw from the PCL after the 1965 season and in 1966 moved to Tacoma. As before, the void created by the loss of the PCL was filled by the Pioneer League from 1966 to 1969.

The club would re-locate to Salt Lake City in 1970 for the third time in the form of the Salt Lake City Padres, the Triple-A team under an affiliation with the San Diego Padres. The affiliation only lasted one season, and in 1971, the team changed its name and affiliation when the California Angels moved their Triple-A affiliate from Hawaii to Salt Lake City and took their parent’s name of Angels. Although remaining the top affiliate for the Angels, in 1975 the Angels were renamed the Salt Lake Gulls which would provide excitement by reaching the league finals in 1975 and 1976.

The Salt Lake Gulls became the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners in 1982. The team struggled financially after the 1984 season before being purchased and moved to Calgary Alberta, Canada for the 1985 season. From 1985 to 1992, Salt Lake City fielded a team in the Pioneer League once again, the Salt Lake City Trappers. Salt Lake City was without Pacific Coast League baseball until 1994. In 1993, Salt Lake City and Portland Beavers owner Joe Buzas made a deal where the city would build a new ballpark on the site of historic Derks Field and Buzas would move his team to Salt Lake City in 1994 and name the team the Salt Lake Buzz as the AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

The new ballpark, Franklin Quest Field, opened in 1994 with the newly renamed Salt Lake Buzz. Known as the Salt Lake Buzz from 1994 to 2001, the team would change its name and affiliation once again the team would be known as the Stingers and would reunite with the Angels team in 2002. The change was forced by a trademark dilution lawsuit filed by Georgia Tech, whose yellow jacket mascot is named Buzz. The team was owned by former major league player Joe Buzas until his death in 2003. The Stingers struggled through 2003 and 2004 and in 2005 Larry H. Miller purchased the Stingers.

On October 27, 2005, the team announced the Stingers would now be known as the Salt Lake Bees, the name of the original PCL franchise which played in Salt Lake City from 1915 to 1926. The change brought Salt Lake baseball back to its original franchise name and look when the state’s first Pacific Coast League team was named the Bees in 1915.