Real Salt Lake to open new stadium this season

Aug 5, 2008 - 10:20 PM SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Real Salt Lake announced Tuesday that its new stadium will open ahead of schedule to accommodate the team's final two regular season games this season.

Construction began on Real Salt Lake Stadium in April 2007, with scheduled completion due for this fall.

The team's final two home games - against the New York Red Bulls on October 9 and versus FC Dallas on October 18 - will now be played in the new stadium.

"We are elated to have our stadium, expected to be the finest building in American soccer, opening several weeks early as our surging first-place team makes its 2008 playoff run," Real Salt Lake president Bill Manning said Tuesday. "Concert-goers, fans of youth sports and entertainment consumers of all types will have an opportunity to experience this world-class venue, now opening on October 9."

Real Salt Lake is currently atop the Western Conference with a 7-6-6 record, one point ahead of the Houston Dynamo.

The new stadium, which is located in Sandy, Utah, will also host the 2009 MLS All-Star Game.