Top 10 Moments At Home For Real Salt Lake
Mar 8, 2019, 6:25 PM | Updated: 6:27 pm
Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak (11), right, celebrate she goal with Real Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach (6) during playoffs in Sandy on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018.
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SANDY, Utah – With the Real Salt Lake home opener fast approaching, it’s sure to be another season full of memorable moments for the club and its fans.
Here’s list of the top 10 moments to happen inside Rio Tinto Stadium:
10. Longest Home Unbeaten Run In MLS
Between June 6th, 2009 and May 14th, 2011 Real Salt Lake won 20 times, drew 9 and did not lose. A 29 game unbeaten streak that tops all other MLS clubs.
9. First Game At Rio Tinto Stadium
On October 9th, 2008 Real Salt Lake drew 1-1 with the New York Red Bulls. in front of 20,008 fans.
There was a party like atmosphere on that particular day, with clowns, musicians, a pre game military fly over and am american shaped flag placed in the middle of the pitch prior to the game kicking off.
Nick Rimando and Kyle Beckerman were both selected in the starting 11. Rimando has 5 saves and Beckerman played all 90 minutes.
From the Deseret News: Real Salt Lake Fans Get A Kick Out Of Rio Tinto Stadium
8. First Win At Rio Tinto Stadium
It did not take long for Real Salt Lake to get their first 3 points on their home turf. On October 18th, 2008. 9 days after they first played at Rio Tinto they beat FC Dallas 3-1.
Nick Rimando started in goal, ending the day with 5 saves.
Kyle Beckerman started at center midfielder and played all 90 minutes.
Tony Beltran was on the bench and did not see any playing time.
7. First MLS Playoff Win
The same year they opened Rio Tinto Stadium they notched their first MLS playoff win on November 1st, 2008 as RSL beat Chivas USA 1-0 during the first leg.
Javier Morales found Yura Movsisyan’s right foot with a sensational cross that gabe the hosts a much needed victory at home.
14,719 fans attended the historic contest.
6. Rio Tinto RSL Attendance Record
The all time attendance record was broken on September 1st, 2018 when RSL thrashed the LA Galaxy 6-2 in front of 21,363 screaming fans.
What a night at the RioT! A record breaking attendance and a 6-2 win over LA Galaxy. Here are the highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CdFkrw4ZrE
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 2, 2018
5. First Hat-rick At Rio Tinto
Robbie Findley, an RSL original, was the first player to score three goals at Rio Tinto Stadium. On April 2nd, 2009 during the 4-1 victory over the Columbus Crew, Findley scored in the 2nd, 29th and 62nd minute.
4. First Goal At Rio Tinto Stadium
On October 18th, 2008, during the first Real Salt Lake home victory, Jamison Olave scored the first goal at Rio Tinto Stadium in front of his home fans.
3. 2010 Unbeaten CONCACAF Run
Real Salt Lake went undefeated at home during the CONCACAF Champions League fixture in 2010.
They beat Arabe Unido 2-1, Toronto FC 4-1 and Cruz Azul 3-1 during the stretch.
2. Jason Kreis #9 Retired
A living legend in the minds of all Real Salt Lake fans, Jason Kreis has his number retired on July 4th, 2011 prior to the home game against the New England Revolution.
Kreis is the only person to have his number retired in club history.
Kreis played in 58 games as a RSL player scoring 17 goals.
Between May 3rd, 2007 and December 10th, 2013 Kreis managed 261 games winning 112 times and cementing his legacy as the greatest contributor the club has ever seen.
1. First Goal In Club History
On April 16, 2005 at Rice Eccles Stadium, Brian Dunseth headed the ball in the back of the net in the 81st minute against the Colorado Rapids to give the hosts a 1-0 victory.
A memory that is entrenched in every true RSL fans memory.
Real Salt Lake’s home opener against the Vancouver Whitecaps can be streamed on sports.ksl.com as well as on the KSL TV app.
