It is here.
And I, like many others, am not overly excited with what MLS gave RSL for their 2011 schedule. Don't get me wrong, I want to see the boys in red as much as possible and as soon as possible, but 7 games before Memorial Day is crazy given our attendance history. Pre-Memorial Day games tend to not sell well unless given a crazy discount/deal; and even then they struggle to get over 75% capacity. This season is truly going to test the RSL Front Office (RSLFO) in terms of getting the word out and finding a way to attract fans to games in weather that isn't exactly lovely all the time.
Here is the 2011 schedule: http://www.realsaltlake.com/schedule
A couple points I want to make about this schedule:
1) It is built around Concacaf Champions League, which is wonderful. It gives RSL ample time (if they advance past Columbus) to travel to either Costa Rica or Honduras. If we get past that match up (huge if) then there is a gap for us to travel to Mexico as well. MLS helped both us and Columbus out in this effort, but it does hurt us later on in the season with some heavy congestion.
2) It essentially send "screw you" to the traveling fans of the RMC. We host the cRapids on a Wednesday... IN APRIL. How exactly those "fans" are supposed to get here is beyond me. People work, have families, previous plans, etc. That stuff is far more important than the rivalry game. Sadly, that game will lose some of its edge, if you will, because of this schedule. The game in Colorado is on a Friday in October. It gives RSL fans time to arrange stuff (at least more than cRapid fans) but it still isn't a weekend game that people can swing easier. My buddy and I made the trip out there last season on Saturday morning because we both had work and school during the week. There is no way we could have gone if it was on a Friday, let alone a Wednesday.
3) 9 of the last 13 are on the road for RSL. With our history, sans last year, on the road this is a scary thing. I am fully confident that our road struggles wont be as bad as they have been in previous years, but its not like we are the same team away from the RioT as we are there (everyone will admit that). We need to build a substantial lead in the first half of the season to have a real shot at the Supporters Shield.
4) We finish the season against Portland?! I really didn't get this part of the schedule at all. We have a great tradition with the cRapids in that we finish the season playing against each other and thus crowning a RMC champion (at least in the last 2 years). Now, we play against the new expansion side to finish the season? Why are they not playing Seattle (or Vancouver) to end the season and why are we not playing the cRapids? I don't get what MLS was thinking. Sure, there are going to be CCL issues for both the cRapids and Seattle, but that didn't seem to matter too much last year.
5) A month by month break down of matches is rather interesting.
(just of MLS matches)
March: 1 home game, 1 road game
April: 2 home games, 2 road games
May: 3 home games, 1 road game
June: 3 home games, 3 road games
July: 4 home games, 1 road game
August: 1 home game, 4 road games
September: 2 home games, 3 road games
October: 1 home game, 2 road games
- July and August see a lot of games (with potentially more) in the summer heat
- August through September has loads of travel
- The opening 5 months will make or break this season
6) Big matches to keep an eye on:
March:
- 19th @ SJ. Season Opener is always big. Hope we can repeat what we did last year there
- 26th vs LAG. An early preview of the Western Conference Finals, perhaps?
April:
- 13th vs cRapids. The RMC will be that much more interesting with the two teams on the field being the previous 2 MLS Cup winners.
- 30th @ PDX. Going to that place will be interesting. I'm tempted to fly out
May:
- 7th vs Chivas USA. Our "rivalry" might have something to it with Fraser now their coach. Side note: watch out for Chivas this year
- 14th vs HOU: We dont like each other, and our games prove it over the past couple of years.
- 22nd @ FCD: Time to avenge that far too early playoff exit.
June:
- 8th @ CBus: No matter which way the CCL match-up goes, this will be the first time the teams see each other afterwards. Should be entertaining considering our history, as well.
- 18th vs DCU: Charlie Davies back at the RioT?! That sounds awesome to me
July:
- 4th vs NE: I find it funny ESPN picked up this game (of all the home RSL games). I think it's because the last 2 years we have had plenty of fireworks when they came here (11 goals in 2 games for RSL)
- 9th vs FCD: The fans will get to avenge that loss, now. Also, we tend to have crazy games against them at the RioT.
- 16th @ VAN: Like the Portland game, this will be interesting for the boys.
August:
- 3rd @ SKC: First time for RSL in their new (beautiful) stadium. Should be a whole lot better than that baseball field.
- 6th vs NYRB: Henry, Marquez, Lindpere, Richards, etc. This game will be good, mark my words.
September:
- 10th @ SEA: 2009 doesn't seem that far away when you think about it. Going back to where we finished that crazy run will be awesome. Like the PDX and VAN games, crowd should be great.
- 21st @ NYRB: The stadium is beautiful, the teams play good soccer, and if last the game is like last year it should be wonderful to watch.
October: (all games)
- 1st @ LAG. Given the timing of the game and expectations for the teams, this could be huge for the Supporters Shiled or at least Western Conference 1st seed.
- 14th @ cRapids: Do I even have to explain this one? Go get the RMC (again)
- 22nd vs PDX: End of the season, not against who it should be, but this league always proves to have some wild regular season finishes.
Overall, I am happy to have the schedule and be able to "plan my life around RSL" (sorry to my wife and daughter). There are some obvious flaws, but its MLS, those were to be expected. I can't wait for the 22nd as we get to finally see the boys play in a meaningful match. Then on the 1st, live in person. This season has the potential, as many people have stated, of being something truly special. CCL, MLS, Playoffs, Open Cup, the RMC, etc. We could win a host of trophies this year. But, lets do this one step at a time. Columbus on the 22nd is the sole focus of this squad (I have faith in Kreis about this). After that, it will be on the 1st. Lets not get too worked up over what could be this year.
RSL @ Columbus at 6pm on February 22nd on FSC. Be there (in front of your TV) cheering the boys on wearing your RSL colors.
Cheers,
15 to 32
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