Real Salt Lake ended its 15-day training camp in Arizona earlier this afternoon by drawing 1-1 with D.C. United in a 90-minute scrimmage contested at the Reach 11 Sports Complex.

“Like any preseason game there were some good things and bad things. I think we probably allowed D.C. United a bit too many good looks, but there were still some good things that came out of it,” said RSL Head Coach Jason Kreis. “We’ve been very focused on defending during this camp, so while we didn’t create too many chances we can’t be too critical about that right now.”

Unlike the chippy start RSL saw in its opener last Friday against Vancouver, there was a bit more love between the two sides for the Valentine’s Day affair, but that would soon be interrupted with three cards issued in the middle of the opening stanza, beginning with United DF Emiliano Dudar’s hard challenge on FW Fabian Espíndola in the 20^th minute. RSL would unfortunately see a card of a different color seven minutes later, as DF Samir Bengelloun was issued a straight red card for a diving tackle on United MF Andy Najar on the sideline.

After Espíndola was again fouled in the 33^rd minute, RSL was allowed to return to full strength, with Wes Knight taking over on the left side of defense and Terukazu Tanaka flipping sides to man the right flank. RSL scored off the ensuing restart, with DF Jamison Olave nodding home MF Ned Grabavoy’s pinpoint free kick service at the corner of the six, putting the Utah side up 1-0. United created a quality chance to pull even in the 41^st minute, but MF Danny Cruz’s 25-yard shot bounced off the left post and away from danger, allowing RSL to carry the lead into the halftime break.

Kreis elected to keep most of his line-up intact to start the second half, the move paying off with the Claret-and-Cobalt keeping most of the possession at the start of the period. However, no chances of note would be created until both teams made a “line change” at the hour mark.

Defensive pressure by the RSL duo of MF Jonny Steele and DF Diogo de Almeida on the sideline in the 66^th minute created RSL’s best chance of the half, as a forced turnover and a pair of quick passes found the ball at the feet of MF Sebastian Velasquez. The rookie cut left towards the top of the area and unleashed a screaming left-footer from 25 yards out that sailed just a foot over the crossbar.

From there on out it was nearly all D.C. United, with the Black-and-Red able to create a turnover of their own into a tally in the 77^th minute, when Lance Rozeboom picked off a pass 45 yards from goal and took two touches before his shot from 25 yards skipped between RSL GK Lalo Fernandez and his right post to even the contest. United FW Alfredo Martins saw two shots go begging in the final 10 minutes, allowing RSL to register its second 1-1 draw in as many contests this spring.

“The energy of the second group was really good for the first 10 minutes; they got out there and sprayed some passes around and created a really good chance the first few minutes,” said Kreis. “But they lost their way a little after that and for the last 20 minutes it was all D.C. United. They put us under pressure and we naively tried to play out of that rather than release the pressure a bit and just play it into their half of the field.”

Video courtesy Branden Steineckert. Follow Branden on Twitter at @801PUNX or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OfficialBrandenSteineckert

Real Salt Lake took to the field for exhibition play for the first time this 2012 preseason earlier today, the Claret-and-Cobalt opening their spring slate with a 1-1 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at the Grande Sports World complex. The 125-minute contestwas played across three periods (45-45-35), allowing both clubs an extended look at their assembled camp rosters. 

While Real Salt Lake’s players relished the opportunity to kick someone besides themselves after two weeks of training, it was Vancouver doing most of the kicking in the opening 15 minutes, as some rusty touches by RSL and overzealous challenges from the opposition resulted in some high anxiety in the early going. 

After three cautions were issued in the span of eight minutes soon after, both sides would calm down the physical play and pick up their attacks, with Whitecaps FC hitting paydirt first in the 27^th minute. It was a former RSL’er, MF Atiba Harris, creating the chance, as he played FW Darren Mattocks into the right side of the area, where the 2012 MLS SuperDraft’s second overall selection slotted a low shot just between GK Nick Rimando and the right post to push Vancouver ahead 1-0. 

But the lead would last only until the 39^th minute, when RSL FW Fabian Espíndola struck a low blast from the penalty spot to the right of wrong-footed Vancouver ‘keeper Joe Cannon to even things up at 1-1. It was RSL MF Ned Grabavoy’s constant buzzing around the Whitecaps FC area finally paying off, the newly re-signed veteran being taken down with a tackle as he ushered the ball into the top of the area moments earlier. 

Largely the same cast of characters would start the next stanza for RSL, with Head Coach Jason Kreis opting to swap the bulk of his players for a new look just after the hour mark. The change of personnel didn’t change RSL’s fortunes with the referees, as the Utahns picked up four yellow card cautions during the period. 

While Espindola’s pick-pocket of GK Brad Knighton’s poor distribution and his ultimately fruitless attempt to round the netminder in the 57^th minute marked the most dangerous offensive opportunity, it was the insertion of MF Sebastian Velasquez a couple of minutes earlier that provided a quick jolt for the RSL attack. The rookie hopeful first picked out MF Jonny Steele with a cutback cross after achieving the endline in the 63^rd minute, but while Steele’s header beat Knighton it also drifted just over the crossbar. Four minutes later Velasquez ran onto a free kick at the right corner of the six-yard box, but his volleyed attempt would also barely miss the frame. 

Steele also created a fine chance of his own in the 82^nd minute after rounding a defender on the right flank, but his cross to pick out FW Emiliano Bonfigli’s far-post run was snagged by Knighton. In the waning moments of the period FW Cody Arnoux had two bites of the apple to put RSL in front, but his first chance was knocked away by Knighton before another seconds later got caught up in traffic at the top of the six. 

The final 35 minutes was highlighted by a pair of fine saves by GK Lalo Fernandez, the RSL-Arizona Academy product first knocking away FW Omar Salgado’s straight-on rocket from 20 yards in the 103^rd minute, followed by a fingertip touch that forced a close-range shot to deflect straight down off the crossbar in the 112^th minute. The best offensive chance for the Utah side came in the 118^th minute, when MF Enzo Martinez saw his blast from the arc knocked away by GK Andrew Fontein.

Real Salt Lake today officially announced the return of four players – MF Yordany Alvarez, FW Fabian Espíndola, MF Ned Grabavoy and FW Paulo Jr. – ahead of the squad’s 2012 Major League Soccer campaign. Per club policy, financial terms for the deals will not be disclosed. 

“This offseason was perhaps the most challenging in recent years when it came to keeping together the core and identity of Real Salt Lake,” said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey. “While we could not help but lose some valuable contributors, in Fabian Espíndola and Ned Grabavoy we return two players that not only combined for more than 100 starts over the last three seasons, but provide qualities on the field and in the locker room that can’t be measured. With the long-term additions of Yordany Alvarez and Paulo Jr., we lock down two starting-caliber players to provide cover at key positions, depth that will be sorely needed to compete at a high level in every competition we enter.” 

RSL accomplished one of its main offseason objectives by agreeing to a new four-year contract with Espíndola. The club retained the services of Espindola after his breakout 2011 season, during which the Argentine striker notched MLS career highs in goals (10), assists (3), games played (27), games started (25), shots (62) and shots on goal (31). The 26-year-old Espindola finished the season listed on MLS’ top ten rankings in shots on goal (T-8^th) and shot percentage (50.0%, T-4^th), while his 10 tallies made him one of just 15 players across the league to reach double-digit goals and placed just one behind fellow strike-mate Álvaro Saborío for the team lead. 

Since joining the Claret-and-Cobalt midway through the 2007 season, Espindola has knocked home 26 goals in regular season play, second only to Robbie Findley (29) on the club’s career chart, and added 10 assists in 95 regular season appearances (77 starts). 

“It feels great to be able to continue my career with Real Salt Lake. The negotiations were difficult at times, but I’m glad we could come to an agreement that worked out for both myself and the club,” said Espindola. “It means a lot to me to return to RSL, to Utah. I know the guys well and we’ve got a great group here, one that can fight for every trophy that is in front of us, and that’s very, very important to me.” 

The new contract for Grabavoy is a three-year deal that will keep the influential midfielder in Claret-and-Cobalt through the 2014 season. Since joining Real Salt Lake just prior to its 2009 campaign, the 28-year-old Grabavoy has started 47 of his 68 regular season appearances, scoring three goals and adding three assists. The versatile midfielder collected the second-most starts (21), appearances (25) and minutes played (1,899) of his eight MLS seasons for RSL in 2011, and also came off the bench during all three of the squad’s MLS Cup Playoff appearances, adding a pivotal goal in the postseason opener against Seattle in the process. 

The New Lenox, Ill., native has tallied eight goals and 17 assists in 162 regular season appearances (117 starts) on behalf of the LA Galaxy (2004-06), Columbus Crew (2006-07), San Jose Earthquakes (2008) and Real Salt Lake (2009-present) since being drafted in the second round (14^th overall) by Los Angeles in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft. 

“I couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to continue my career with Real Salt Lake, and I’m excited to find myself in a great situation for continued success,” said Grabavoy. “I want to thank the RSL ownership and management and the coaching staff for not just showing a commitment to me, but for doing everything possible to display a complete and successful product every season. I believe we have the right pieces in place to do some special things, including bringing another championship to our deserving fans.” 

The new three-year contract for Alvarez comes after Real Salt Lake exercised a purchase option following the expiration of his loan agreement from Orlando City S.C. of the USL PRO League. The 26-year-old holding midfielder joined RSL at the signing deadline last Sept. 15 and started four of his five appearances down the stretch while captain Kyle Beckerman was unavailable due to national team call-ups and suspension. 

Alvarez’s move to Utah last fall followed on the heels of his standout season for Orlando City S.C., during which he helped the squad to the USL PRO League’s regular season title and playoff championship and garnered the league’s Most Valuable Player honor. The one-time Cuban international, who defected while in the U.S. during the 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament, received his United States Green Card during the offseason and thus will not occupy an International Player slot on the RSL roster. 

“I’m thankful to both Real Salt Lake and Orlando City for coming to an agreement that allows me to be a full member of the RSL squad, and I value the opportunity to work hard and prepare for the start of the season,” said Alvarez. “Getting to play after arriving last fall not only gives me great comfort with the rest of the group for this year, and also the confidence that I can succeed at the MLS level. Knowing that there will be opportunities to perform at points this season just makes me want to work all that much harder to step in and do well for the club.” 

Real Salt Lake will also retain the services of Paulo Jr. for the next three seasons after purchasing his rights from USL PRO side Miami FC, from where RSL originally brought him over via a loan deal back in September of 2010. After bursting onto the scene during CONCACAF Champions League play shortly after his arrival in fall 2010, last season saw the diminutive Brazilian suffer from persistent hamstring and hip flexor injuries across the summer that limited him to a pair of goals and four assists in just 11 appearances (5 starts) in MLS play. 

“I’m very happy to be back with Real Salt Lake and to get a fresh start to a new season,” Paulo Jr. said. “I plan on continuing to work hard and stay healthy moving forward, and when I accomplish those goals I know I will be able to contribute great things to the club.”

Real Salt Lake and KTVX, Utah’s ABC affiliate, today announced a new, multi-year broadcast partnership that will see KTVX ABC4 air 10 live RSL contests during the 2012 Major League Soccer campaign, while the KTVX-operated KUCW – known as CW30 – will carry the remaining 20 non-national regional broadcasts. The RSL-KTVX partnership guarantees that all 34 of the Utah side’s regular-season affairs will be aired on a local or national broadcast partner, on either free, over-the-air television or via the new national NBC Sports Network (formerly known as Versus). 

Real Salt Lake’s KTVX slate kicks off with the team’s 2012 MLS opener on Saturday, March 10, when the Claret-and-Cobalt will travel to The Home Depot Center in Los Angeles for a rematch of both MLS Cup 2009 and the 2011 MLS Western Conference Final against the reigning MLS Cup champion Galaxy, featuring international soccer icons Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Robbie Keane. Pre-game coverage starts at 8:00 p.m. MT. 

“KTVX and KUCW provide the perfect fit for Real Salt Lake and Rio Tinto Stadium as we move into another new era in our organization’s growth,” said RSL President Bill Manning, noting that the team’s regional games remain on free, over-the-air television, as they have since its inception in 2005. ”KTVX’s commitment to live, local content and their recognition of our relevance as a team on the field and a business entity off of it has everyone – fans, ownership, players and others – excited for this long-term partnership.” 

For the first time ever, each of Real Salt Lake’s 30 regional games will air in high-definition, while ABC4 and CW30 offer channel location consistency, regardless of the platform by which the fragmented Utah DMA consumes its television – over the air, cable or satellite. Virtually all of the elements contained in each two-and-a-half hour Real Salt Lake broadcast will be available locally – including features, game highlights, interviews with key personalities and full-game re-broadcasts – on Comcast Video-on-Demand, as will numerous RSL-related content produced by the ABC4 news and sports teams. 

“ABC4 and CW30 are excited to partner with RSL and provide the community with 30 live games on broadcast television,” said Matt Jaquint, General Manager of KTVX and KUCW. “Sports is the ultimate reality show, and RSL’s championship-winning brand of soccer provides an unparalleled level of compelling local content.” 

Of the 10 regular-season games airing on ABC4, eight will emanate from the road, highlighted by the March 10 opener at LA and continuing with April 14 at Kansas City, May 12 at Seattle, June 16 at Chivas USA, July 14 at San Jose, August 4 at Colorado and August 11 at Vancouver. KTVX will air a pair of games from Rio Tinto Stadium, including the March 17 home opener featuring RSL against Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls, as well as the team’s August 18 home game against FC Dallas. 

CW30 will carry a mix of 20 total games, including 14 home and six away, throughout the length of the season, starting on March 24 with the Rio Tinto Stadium match against Chivas USA and closing with the 2012 regular-season finale on October 27 against Vancouver. The highlight of the CW30 road schedule is RSL’s first-ever visit to the new BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Thursday, September 6 at 6:30 p.m. MT. 

The RSL on ABC4 / CW30 broadcast team will see long-time RSL ambassadors continue in the booth, as ESPN700 host Bill Riley enters his eighth year as an RSL play-by-play personality on radio and TV, while 10-year MLS veteran and “RSL Original” Brian Dunseth assumes color analyst duties on RSL broadcasts for a seventh consecutive season. Riley and Dunseth can often be heard together on the ESPN700 airwaves Monday through Friday between 2:00-6:00 p.m. MT talking all things RSL, MLS and international soccer, while ABC4 sports reporter Emerson Lotzia will appear on RSL broadcasts as the third member of the on-air team. Throughout the season, RSL players, coaches and personalities will be featured on the Saturday and Sunday night “SportsZone” on ABC4, airing each weekend night at 10:35 p.m. MT. 

KTVX and KUCW are Utah-based stations owned and operated by Newport Television Group. 

All regional Real Salt Lake production facilities are provided by Tupelo-Honey Productions. THP is a multi-disciplined, full-service production company packaging award-winning television and broadband content for clients such as CBS Sports, ESPN, Showtime, YES Network, AT&T’s “Blue Room”, Condé Nast and SNY. THP is also a founding partner of City On Demand, which includes TimeOut On Demand on Time Warner Cable and broadband.

Real Salt Lake was one of the more active teams during today’s 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft, which was conducted this afternoon with officials from all 19 MLS squads via conference call. After selecting four players – M/D Andy Rose (6^th overall/first round), FW Emiliano Bonfigli (17^th overall/first round), FW Oliver Kupe (36^th overall/second round) and MF Benjamin Ubierna (55^th overall/third round) – during the first three rounds of today’s draft, RSL passed on filling out its full complement of picks by passing on its fourth round (74^th overall) selection.

Following the Supplemental Draft, Real Salt Lake traded the rights to Rose to Seattle Sounders FC in exchange for the MLS contract rights to DF Leone Cruz, who was selected by Sounders FC in the second round (21^st overall) in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft and featured in a pair of MLS Reserve League contests on behalf of the Claret-and-Cobalt last August.

Cruz, Bonfigli, Kupe and Ubierna are expected to join the rest of the Real Salt Lake camp on the Wasatch Front late next week to begin the squad’s 2012 preseason, which will begin in earnest with fitness testing on Thursday, Jan. 26 following exit physicals the day prior. A finalized preseason roster including all signed players, SuperDraft and Supplemental Draft picks and trialists will be released next week in the run-up to the start of the 2012 preseason schedule.

Real Salt Lake kept all three selections in today’s 2012 MLS SuperDraft at the Kansas City Convention Center, the Utah side highlighting its picks with the selection of University of North Carolina midfielder and Generation adidas product Enzo Martinez towards the end of the first round (17^th overall). Real Salt Lake closed out its draft day in the second round by plucking Southern Methodist University defender Diogo de Almeida and Spartanburg Methodist College midfielder Sebastian Velasquez with the 24^th and 36^thpicks, respectively. 

The RSL Technical Staff was more than happy to take the 21-year-old Martinez off the draft board, as the Utah side’s braintrust was shocked to see the creative midfielder drop down to the 17^th spot. The Rock Hill, S.C., native has won championships at every level growing through the ranks, most recently as a member of UNC Tarheels, who he helped lead to the 2011 NCAA College Cup title last fall thanks to a nine-goal, 11-assist performance during his junior campaign. During his three seasons in Chapel Hill, Martinez scored 22 goals and assisted on 20 more in 72 appearances (53 starts) in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Coast Conference.

Real Salt Lake’s search for a left back of the future might have ended with the selection of Diogo de Almeida, an athletic, left-footed winger out of SMU. After coming off the bench as a forward for the Mustangs during his freshman season and a midfielder the following year, de Almeida found his stride after moving to the backline as a junior in 2010. The accolades and attention began to roll his way shortly thereafter, culminating with his selection as the Conference USA Defender of the Year last fall following a senior season in which the 23-year-old also bagged four goals during his 20 games (19 starts). During his collegiate career, the native of Piricicaba, Brazil, scored nine goals and added three assists in 70 appearances (46 starts). 

With the third-to-last pick of today’s SuperDraft, Real Salt Lake went for a diamond in the rough in Sebastian Velasquez, a midfielder out of Spartanburg Methodist College, a junior college based in South Carolina. The Greenville, S.C., native, by way of his birthplace of Colombia, was an offensive juggernaut during his two seasons of collegiate ball, notching 20 goals and 17 assists during his freshman campaign (14 games) and bumping the production up to a ridiculous 35 goals and 16 assists last fall as a sophomore (19 games), leading to his selection as a NJCAA Second Team All-American. The 20-year-old Velasquez, who was a teammate of Martinez’s at the club level in South Carolina, was recommended to the RSL Technical Staff and impressed enough during the squad’s combine last month in Arizona to earn a SuperDraft selection. 

As a member of the Generation adidas player development program, Martinez will not count against RSL’s base salary budget. All three players have not obtained full U.S. citizenship and would occupy one of the squad’s six International Player slots once officially added to the roster by Major League Soccer. The three RSL players currently under contract that occupy International slots are Argentineans Javier Morales and Fabian Espíndola and Colombia native Jamison Olave. 

The roster building will continue for Real Salt Lake next Tuesday, Jan. 17, when the four-round MLS Supplemental Draft will occur via a conference call. Eight days later on Jan. 25, Real Salt Lake players will report to Salt Lake City for entrance physicals before beginning their offseason in earnest with five days of training in Utah prior to the team’s first Spring Training trip to Arizona. Click here for Real Salt Lake’s full 2012 preseason schedule. 

RSL Nation can secure their seats now for Real Salt Lake’s 2012 home opener on Saturday, March 17 against the New York Red Bulls via the “RSL 2-Pack,” which includes a pair of seats to both the Rio Tinto Stadium debut and any other MLS regular season game in Sandy beginning at just $80. In addition, fans can lock up their preferred spot at RSL’s home all season long if they Join the Pride and become a 2012 RSL Season Ticket Holder. Both of these unbeatable ticket options can be purchased online at www.RealSaltLake.com or over the phone at 801-727-2700.

With today’s announcement of the 2012 Major League Soccer regular season schedule, Real Salt Lake learned the 34-game slate that will mark its eighth season of MLS play. Real Salt Lake will begin the upcoming season on Saturday, March 10, where its last campaign ended – The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. – with a Western Conference Championship rematch against the defending MLS Cup Champion LA Galaxy, with kickoff slated for 8:30 p.m. MT. 

A week later on Saturday, March 17, RSL will host the first of its 17 regular season home contests at Rio Tinto Stadium with another marquee match-up, as international star Thierry Henry will lead the New York Red Bulls into Sandy for a 7:00 p.m. MT kickoff. Currently, the only ways for fans to guarantee their seats on opening night in Sandy is to Join the Pride by becoming an RSL Season Ticket Holder or purchase a 10-Game Flex Voucher Pack, both of which can be fulfilled by visiting the “TICKETS” section of www.RealSaltLake.com or calling 801-727-2700. Real Salt Lake will announce details for single-game ticket availability in the upcoming weeks. 

The RSL-Galaxy showdown on March 10 will be part of that day’s five-game slate beginning First Kick 2012, presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, which will continue with two Sunday games – including the first MLS game on NBC Sports Network (FC Dallas v. New York) – and concludes with a special Monday night contest on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes (Portland v. Philadelphia). 

All 323 regular season matches will be televised live – 89 by national U.S. network partners ESPN, NBC, and Univision (on Galavisión) in the United States. Real Salt Lake will be featured on four national broadcasts, all coming on NBC Sports Network during the second half of the season (July 18 @ Seattle, Aug. 24 @ Philadelphia, Sept. 22 v. Portland & Oct. 6 @ Los Angeles). All non-national TV games will be broadcast locally and/or via subscription to Direct Kick and MLSsoccer.com’s live streaming package; Real Salt Lake will announce details for its 2012 local broadcast schedule in the upcoming weeks. 

The 2012 MLS Regular Season will conclude Sunday, Oct. 28 with three games, followed by the MLS Cup Playoffs and the championship game – MLS Cup 2012 – on Dec. 1, hosted by one of the two finalists. From First Kick to MLS Cup, the calendar footprint of the 2012 season is 267 days – the longest in League history (as is the regular season, at 232 days). 

“RSL Nation” will have several chances to get an early glimpse at their Claret-and-Cobalt, as Real Salt Lake will follow its road opener in Los Angeles with four of its next five contests at home, including the lone contest of the season against the Red Bulls, a visit by former Assistant Coach Robin Fraser and his Chivas USA squad (Mar. 24), the first-ever meeting against expansion newcomer Montreal Impact and ex-RSL midfielder Collen Warner (Apr. 4) and the first of three 2012 Rocky Mountain Cup showdowns against the archrival Colorado Rapids (Apr. 7). 

Real Salt Lake will then have to get used to the road during a grueling 29-day stretch that will see the Claret-and-Cobalt play five of seven games on the road, starting with a three-game run at Sporting Kansas City (Apr. 14), San Jose (Apr. 21) and FC Dallas (Apr. 25) and ending with a cross-country trip from Chicago (May 9) to Seattle (May 12). In between those road trips, RSL will play host to Eastern Conference sides Toronto FC and the New England Revolution at Rio Tinto Stadium. 

The Utah side will have ample time to recover from its travels, as a bye weekend and back-to-back FIFA fixture dates will result in only one regular season match – a May 26 meeting at home against FC Dallas – from mid-May to mid-June. While the league may be largely off duty during that time, its clubs may still be in action during the month-long layover, as an anticipated switch in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup calendar and competition format could result in USOC games being contested during the time frame. 

RSL will get back to action with a week-long “California Crash Course” that opens with a June 16 contest at Chivas USA and ends in Sandy with matches against the Galaxy (June 20) and San Jose (June 23). The following weekend’s road contest at the Columbus Crew on June 30 will mark the Claret-and-Cobalt’s lone match against Eastern Conference opposition during a three-and-a-half month run that will see RSL play 14 of 15 contests against its fellow Western foes. 

The next six weeks will be set aside largely for Cascadian clubs and Colorado, beginning with RSL’s annual July 4^th affair that this year brings Seattle to the Wasatch Front for an 8:00 p.m. kickoff, which will be followed by a visit from the Portland Timbers three days later. After a quick road swing west to San Jose (July 14) and Seattle (July 18) – the latter of which will mark RSL’s 2012 national broadcast debut on NBC Sports Network – Real Salt Lake and the Rapids will settle their Rocky Mountain Cup series at its earliest point ever thanks to clashes two weeks apart in Sandy on July 21 and at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Aug. 4, the former marking RSL’s eighth annual “Pioneer Day Celebration” game (8:00 p.m. kickoff). 

The Utah side will alternate the two rivalry showdowns against the Rapids with contests against Vancouver Whitecaps FC – first in Sandy on July 27, then at BC Place on Aug. 11 – before settling its season account with FC Dallas at home on Aug. 18. The Claret-and-Cobalt will then turn their attention to the Eastern Conference for the next three games, starting with a road trip to Philadelphia (Aug. 24), continuing with the Sept. 1 Sandy homecoming for Robbie Russell and the rest of D.C. United and concluding with RSL’s first trip to the Houston Dynamo’s new home of BBVA Compass Stadium (Sept. 6).

While another FIFA window and bye weekend follow that stretch, there will likely be no rest for Real Salt Lake, which anticipates its return to CONCACAF Champions League play to begin in late-July or early-August and continue through October. CONCACAF will announce the competition format and dates for the 2012/13 edition of the tournament in the upcoming months. 

The anticipated CCL contests will help fill in the gaps of a fairly relaxed final stretch for RSL, which starts with three consecutive Saturday affairs, beginning in Sandy against Portland (Sept. 22) and finishing with back-to-back trips to The Home Depot Center to face Chivas USA (Sept. 29) and the Galaxy (Oct. 6). Following another FIFA international window and bye weekend, Real Salt Lake will finally conclude its regular season campaign on Saturday, Oct. 27 by playing host to Vancouver.

After plying his trade in Major League Soccer for the last 14 seasons, Real Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams has announced his retirement from professional soccer, marking the end of an era for the last remaining on-field “RSL Original” from the Utah side’s 2005 inaugural season. While the 34-year-old Williams will no longer suit up in the team’s familiar Claret-and-Cobalt colors on the field, the RSL fan-favorite will remain with the club after accepting a scouting position on the team’s Technical Staff.

“I wouldn’t change [my time with RSL] for the world, and I’m glad I came to Salt Lake City, as my family and I have been able to call the area home,” said Williams to ESPN 700’s “Bill & Spence” Show on Monday afternoon. “I’m excited about the opportunity the front office has given me by allowing me to continue to be a part of RSL. I think I’ve got a lot to offer off the field and I look forward to helping bring in players that will make our team better and hopefully provide some more championship rings. The transition will be a learning opportunity for me, but I couldn’t be happier to do it on behalf of the team, fans and city that I love. I’m going to take this new endeavor and put all of my heart into it, just like I did on the field.”

Williams ends his playing days as Real Salt Lake’s regular season career leader in games played (189), shots (232) and fouls suffered (269), while placing second in club annals in assists (29), games started (122), minutes played (11,536), shots on goal (83) and corner kicks (225). In addition, Williams appeared in all 12 of RSL’s MLS Cup Playoff appearances since 2008, including the 2009 MLS Cup Final against the LA Galaxy, when he gamely went the full 120 minutes in helping the Utah side register a 1-1 draw through regulation and overtime, an effort that eventually ended with RSL gaining the first professional sports title for a team from Utah in nearly 40 years. Williams was one of the first players to join Real Salt Lake after the Utah side claimed him from the Chicago Fire in the 2004 MLS Expansion Draft on Nov. 19, 2004, just two days after current Head Coach Jason Kreis became the squad’s first player signing.

“Andy Williams has been an integral member of Real Salt Lake since the club’s inception, an important player and a critical leader on and off the field, an integral part of the changing of the culture of our club and, most importantly, a terrific personal friend and family member of RSL,” said Kreis. “While it is always disheartening to see the playing career of someone you truly care about come to an end, I can honestly say that I am pleased it has come to an end wearing the RSL colors, and that he has chosen to stay with this club as we look to strengthen our squad and reload during a challenging offseason. There is no doubt that we at RSL have lost one of the all-time greats on the field today, but I truly feel we may have gained someone that can contribute in an even more significant fashion now off it.”

After becoming one of the most prolific scorers in NCAA history (52 goals & 45 assists) while at the University of Rhode Island, Williams began his MLS career in 1998 with the Columbus Crew, coming back from his stint with the Jamaican National Team at the FIFA World Cup in France to register 12 assists in only 13 appearances to end the regular season. Despite producing at every stop, Williams would bounce around to five different MLS sides in his first seven seasons in the league – Columbus (1998-99), Miami Fusion FC (2000), New England Revolution (2001-02), MetroStars (2002) and Chicago Fire (2003-2004) – before ending his nomadic days by landing with Real Salt Lake.

“We would like to thank Andy for all of his commitment and service on behalf of Real Salt Lake,” said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey.  “There is good reason why he is recognized as arguably the most memorable player in our franchise’s history, and we are honored that he has chosen to accept our invitation to stay on and join our Technical Staff.  Leaving the playing field is never an easy decision, but Andy is a gifted person who will continue to help RSL off the field just as he led us on the field for the past seven years.”

Williams finishes his MLS career amongst the league’s best in a number of regular season categories, with his final numbers including 332 appearances (6^th all-time); 86 assists (8^th), 680 fouls suffered (2^nd); 231 starts (T-32^nd); 21,698 minutes played (28^th); 30 goals and 441 corner kicks (10^th). In addition to his MLS Cup title with Real Salt Lake in 2009, Williams also claimed hardware with Chicago by helping the Fire win the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title, one of his record-tying five LHUSOC Finals appearances in the tournament’s professional era (1998, 2000, 2001, 2003 & 2004). The veteran midfielder also played a vital role in helping RSL set new league benchmarks during the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League, scoring a goal and tallying a team-high seven assists in 11 appearances en route to the Utah side becoming the first MLS club to win its group and advance to the Semifinal and Final rounds of the regional club championship.

“It has been night and day since my first seasons in Utah. When we came into the league we were not winning a lot of games, but we always had our fans at Rice-Eccles; they came and supported us from the get-go,” continued Williams. “I’m happy we stuck in there and came away with a championship to reward both our efforts on the field and the fans’ efforts as well. You will always go through good times and bad, and I’m happy that I was able to end my career at Real Salt Lake with a championship ring.”

In addition to his standout league career, Williams was also a long-time contributor to the Jamaican Men’s National Team, scoring 15 goals in 93 appearances on behalf of the “Reggae Boyz” from 1998-2010. After making his senior international debut at the age of 20 during the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Williams was a regular for Jamaica in CONCACAF region World Cup Qualifying contests and the Reggae Boyz’ CONCACAF Gold Cup appearances in 2000, 2003 & 2005.

Major League Soccer today conducted the Stage 1 Draft of the 2011 Re-Entry Process, which included Chivas USA’s selection of Real Salt Lake midfielder Arturo Alvarez. Two other clubs also made selections from the list of eligible players, with the New England Revolution taking Toronto FC midfielder Danleigh Borman and the Columbus Crew picking defender Carlos Mendes from the New York Red Bulls.

As Alvarez was out of contract, MLS will now extend a Bona Fide Offer to the 26-year-old attacker to play for Chivas USA. Players that were out of contract may either accept or reject the Bona Fide Offer. Should a player reject the offer, the drafting club will hold the right of first refusal for that player in MLS.

“We would like to thank Arturo for his contributions to Real Salt Lake across the last year,” said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey. “Arturo was a first-class individual throughout his short stay with the club and we wish him all the best as he continues his career with Chivas USA.”

Alvarez departs the Wasatch Front after only one season with Real Salt Lake, during which the Houston native started half of his 16 league appearances and collected one assist in 724 minutes of regular season action. In addition, Alvarez added one assist in four CONCACAF Champions League substitute appearances last spring (52 minutes), his helper coming on Javier Morales’ memorable equalizer in a 2-2 draw in Leg One of the Championship series against Monterrey. RSL initially acquired the El Salvadoran international last November in a trade with the Portland Timbers shortly after the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft.

Players not selected today are eligible for the Stage 2 Draft, which will take place next Monday, December 12. With Alvarez being selected in the Stage 1 Draft and MF Jean Alexandre being dealt to the San Jose Earthquakes last Friday, Real Salt Lake now has four players – MF Nelson González, DF Rauwshan McKenzie, DF Blake Wagner and MF Andy Williams – eligible for selection in next Monday’s Stage 2 Draft, which will take place via teleconference with all 19 clubs represented. Those four players will have the opportunity to negotiate contracts and re-sign with Real Salt Lake through 3:00 p.m. MT this Friday, Dec. 9.