July 24, 2004

MLS Comes to Salt Lake City
New Team to Begin Play in 2005

The world of soccer in Utah changed on July 14, 2004. In a press conference at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced that an expansion team will begin play in Salt Lake City in March 2005. The team will be led by former Utah Jazz President Dave Checketts, whose vision and boldness made it possible for Utah to land its second major professional team.

"For some of the players in the Utah Youth Soccer Association, it is not an exaggeration to say that this announcement fulfills a lifelong dream," says UYSA President Paul C. Burke. "It is difficult to imagine a more important event for our soccer community. Thanks to Major League Soccer, some of our country's best and most promising players will be performing regularly in our community. I have no doubt that Utah's youth players will be inspired by MLS. Soccer heroes are coming to Utah for our youth players."

Rice-Eccles Stadium, which is located on the campus of the University of Utah overlooking Salt Lake City, will be the first home for the yet-unnamed team. The franchise is committed, however, to building a soccer-specific stadium. Indeed, for the MLS to thrive in Utah, the construction of a soccer mecca-a soccer-specific stadium-will be vital. The support of the Utah soccer community will be essential to the success of this endeavor.

The new MLS franchise hopes to develop a strong relationship with the Utah youth soccer community. In a tribute to the efforts of the thousands of players and coaches of the Utah Youth Soccer Association to develop the sport in our state, the team invited UYSA President Paul C. Burke to speak during the press conference announcing the team. For a transcript of the press conference, click here.

For more information about Utah's MLS team-and to add your name to the list for season tickets-visit the website for the new franchise at www.iloveutahsoccer.com.