RSL to Seattle? [R]

[AreliusIV]

RSL to Seattle?

[BetterThanChivas]

I certainly hope that RSL doesn't leave here. I don't even remember life before RSL. I guess I'll just have to move back to Seattle (I lived there for a while)!

[AreliusIV]

In a post on BS:

Interesting focus here of Mr. Checketts attentions...from a Seattle Sounder's supporters' forum:
Quote:
“We are thrilled that Real Madrid can play another game in the U.S.,” said Dave Checketts, chairman, Sports Capital Partners. “There are a lot of soccer fans in the Seattle area who will enjoy this game and we are happy to help facilitate it.”

[Seattle Sounder's GM] Hanauer secured the game through Sports Capital Partners (parent company for Real Salt Lake.)

[Aerick]

Based on the assumptions made in this article, this could be what happens:

The Madrid/DC United game goes off splendidly in Seattle. MLS and Dave Checketts decide to move the team to Seattle (Dave, of course, sells his portion to a private owner who is willing to own the team in Seattle) for the 2008 season. Utah laments its loss during the 2007 season. A few members on the County Council are ousted, but the majority stay put.

Fast forward to 2021. MLS has continued to grow and now competes with baseball for viewership each summer, and Seattle's "new" team has thrived in the northwest environment. Dave Checkett's has grown his sports company into a gazillion dollar sports empire. Salt Lake rues its original decision to let RSL slip away. Checketts speaks privately to Utah lawmakers about an attempt to come back to the city/state with an MLS team (now at 20 teams and looking to expand to 24 for the 2021 season), but indicates that he won't come unless a stadium is built. Lawmakers scramble to appropriate 500 million dollars plus debt service to build a sweet stadium in downtown SLC, and Dave Checketts and MLS announce the return of Real Salt Lake after an almost 15 year hiatus. The county/city/state rejoice in the return, but lament the fact that they could have enjoyed the team for those 15 years if they would have shelled out a measly 30 million plus debt service! Curse the short-sighted politicians of yester-year!!

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

In a post on BS:

Interesting focus here of Mr. Checketts attentions...from a Seattle Sounder's supporters' forum:
Quote:
“We are thrilled that Real Madrid can play another game in the U.S.,” said Dave Checketts, chairman, Sports Capital Partners. “There are a lot of soccer fans in the Seattle area who will enjoy this game and we are happy to help facilitate it.”

[Seattle Sounder's GM] Hanauer secured the game through Sports Capital Partners (parent company for Real Salt Lake.)

Also note...the match is billed as...

"Seattle Sounders Present...Real Madrid v. DC United..."

[AreliusIV]

SEATTLE SOUNDERS NEWS RELEASE

WORLD POWER REAL MADRID TO FACE D.C. UNITED IN SEATTLE

DAVID BECKHAM AND REAL MADRID TO SQUARE OFF AGAINST FREDDY ADU AND D.C. UNITED ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9TH AT 8:00 PM

TICKETS ON SALE JULY 26TH AT 10:00 AM

(Seattle, WA) – The Seattle Sounders today announced that soccer superstar David Beckham and legendary Spanish Club Real Madrid will square off against Freddy Adu and Major League Soccer (MLS) side, D.C. United on Wednesday, August 9th at 8:00 PM inside Qwest Field.

In addition to the most recognized athlete in the world, David Beckham, the Real Madrid roster includes superstars Ronaldo, Emerson, Roberto Carlos, Robinho and Cicinho from the Brazilian National Team, Raúl, captain of the Spanish National Team, and recently signed Italian mega-star, Italian captain and 2006 World Cup Champion member, Fabio Cannavaro.

“Real Madrid is the premier soccer club on the planet, and we are thrilled to be able to bring them to Seattle,” said Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer. “It’s always been our goal to host international matches, and this one will be special as its Real Madrid’s first visit to Northwest. In addition, D.C. United has the best record in MLS and features a roster loaded with talent. This is one sports’ fans won’t want to miss.”

“We are thrilled that Real Madrid can play another game in the U.S.,” said Dave Checketts, chairman, Sports Capital Partners. “There are a lot of soccer fans in the Seattle area who will enjoy this game and we are happy to help facilitate it.”

Hanauer secured the game through Sports Capital Partners (parent company for Real Salt Lake.)

Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday, July 26th at 10:00 AM. Prices range from $30-$125 and can be purchased through www.Ticketmaster.com.

Seattle Sounders season ticket holders should call the Sounders ticket office to take advantage of pre-sale opportunities available Monday, July 24th - 206 622-3415.

Group tickets (15 or more) will also be available through the Sounders ticket office – 206 622-3415.

“Three years ago when Manchester United visited Seattle, tickets sold out in four hours,” said Hanauer. “I am highly optimistic tickets to the Real Madrid match will sell quickly simply because Seattle sports fans will recognize the magnitude of the event.”

Real Madrid have been European Champions a record nine times and have also won a record 29 Spanish First Division (La Liga) titles. Since the start of the Spanish national league in 1928, Madrid has never been relegated from the top division.

The club’s home is Santiago Bernebéu stadium in Madrid; it’s one of Europe’s finest and holds over 80,000 fans.

Continuing their U.S. tour, Real Madrid travels to Salt Lake City, UT to face Real Salt Lake of MLS on August 12th.

Real Madrid’s opponent, D.C United, currently sit on top of the MLS Eastern Conference with a dominant 13-1-6 record. Their roster, led by U. S. pheenom, Freddy Adu, also includes Jaime Moreno (9 goals), Christian Gomez (7 goals, 7 assists) and Alecko Eskandarian (7 goals, 2 assists).

Adu was selected as the first overall pick in the 2004 MLS Superdraft. Entering his 3rd MLS season, Adu is a veteran of several U.S. National Teams including time with both the U17 and U20 teams.

Moreno, a native of Bolivia, is second in MLS in scoring with 9 goals. He has moved into second place on the MLS all-time goals scored list (103 career goals). He is United's all-time leader in games played (206), games started (202), goals scored (92), shots (517), shots-on-goal (298) and game-winning goals (17).

[AreliusIV]

We should have some signs at the RSL/DC United match this Saturday saying "Your Welcome" for giving them the opportunity to play Real Madrid.

Were it not for the original match between RSL and RM and Checkett's helping to get this second match done, they wouldn't have had this opportunity.

[AreliusIV]

Post on BS:

Just curious...if Checketts is footing the bill on this one, and the SLC city/county council is still dragging their feet on the new stadium proposal, and Seattle has been opting for an MLS team...doesn't this look like a good way for Checketts to say to SLC, "I'm getting ready to move this team to Seattle, and see what they can do for me in such a short period of time? You couldn't give me anything in almost two years. These guys will have just over two weeks, and will give me almost 70,000 fans."

[Deuce]

There is a whole lot of assuming going on!

[AreliusIV]

One thing is for sure though: Checketts has his finger in the pie...

Little Dave Checketts sat in the corner,
Eating a Christmas pie:
He put in his thumb, and pulled out a plum,
And said, “What a good boy am I!”