I've created and written a few short posts on a Desert Crown page over on Google Plus.
Considering my post rate on this space has been far less than that I'm going to explore the idea of
regularly posting to Google Plus.
You can visit the Desert Crown Google Plus page to see these posts as well as add your feedback
if you so desire.
While Utah's MLS side didn't find the back of the net over the weekend, one of the state's
homegrown talents bagged himself a hat trick at Red Bull Arena.
MLS
Justin Braun (Salt Lake City) -- Tallied his first three goals of the season for Chivas USA
in an impressive performance against the Red Bulls in New Jersey.
It's been a good week for Utah natives playing either professionally or internationally. Three out
of the four notable players got on the score sheet, scoring a total of four goals among them.
Following is a list of the players and their tie to the state in parenthesis.
MLS
Justin Braun (Salt Lake City) -- Scored a brace at Kansas City this weekend helping Chivas
USA improve to a 4-9-2 record.
SANDY, Utah (Wednesday, June 9, 2010) – Real Salt Lake and Budweiser are proud to partner with
Green Street – the popular Trolley Corners bar & restaurant – to host the largest viewing party
in the state of Utah for this Saturday's massive USA-England FIFA 2010 World Cup Group Stage opener
in South Africa.
Utah's professional players didn't fare well this last week, as only one of the three made an
appearance. Although, there are at least three players of the younger generations with ties to Utah
who have been called into upcoming training camps for the U.S. National Team.
Justin Braun (Salt Lake City) -- Dressed, but did not play in Chivas USA's 2-0 victory over the New
York Red Bulls this last weekend.
Saturday was a special day in Sandy. With the recognition of the 2009 MLS Cup Champions, a full
house, and a new season to open at Rio Tinto Stadium, there was an electric feel to the evening.
The buzz was enough to affect not only the play on the field, but also the team operations off the
field.
Desert Crown: Utahan Update
With the summer seasons of the American professional leagues get started this month Desert Crown
will follow the progress of players with ties to the state of Utah. If you know of any other
players who are getting paid to play, and are not included in the list below, please let us know so
we can keep everyone informed.
As a defender for much of my playing days, I really enjoy watching Jamison Olave - most of the
time. A few seasons back I heard on opposing coach mention of Olave, that he was a solid defender
but that he was good for at least one major mistake per game. Ever since I heard that I've noticed
Olave's weak moments, and have discovered that the coach's statement was extremely accurate on most
occasions.
Real Salt Lake did something on Saturday that has never happened in the five previous seasons of
the franchises history - they won their season opening match. Riding on a pair of ridiculous
strikes from playmaker Javier Morales, RSL cruised to a convincing 3-0 victory on the road at San
Jose.
Talk about playing with something to prove, RSL scored a third as many goals at Buck Shaw Stadium
on Saturday as they scored the entire 2009 season on the road.
With the signing of the collective bargaining agreement, and then after watching the Philadelphia
Union and Seattle Sounders kick off the season on Wednesday night, I officially have Real Salt Lake
on the brain. Most of the preseason conversation has revolved around whether the 2009 cup title was
a one and down deal, and how the team will react to the departure of Yura Movsisyan.
This picture represents my excitement for the coming season. I can almost smell the grass at Rio
Tinto Stadium. But, enough dreaming. As I have received a lot of questions about Major League
Soccer's recently signed collective bargaining agreement, I figured I would pass along the press
release of details that was issued today in its entirety.
Real Salt Lake will be partnering with several area businesses to bring the MLS Cup trophy to
communities across the state of Utah.
Through out the month of February Utah's first major league sports title winners will tour with its
prize to 35 different locations.
"Since we brought the MLS Cup back from Seattle in November, we have wanted to ensure that our fans
from all across the State of Utah feel pride and ownership in what the club has achieved," said
Real Salt Lake President Bill Manning.
Fresh off of helping Real Salt Lake capture the 2009 MLS Cup title, defender Chris Wingert is now
taking on professional athletes from other sports in a race of giving.
Out of 60 athletes from various professional sports such as skateboard-icon Tony Hawk and the
Pheonix Suns' Steven Nash, Wingert currently sits in fourth place on the money raising
leader-board.
The U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team will be gathering to Sunrise, Fla. this Saturday for a week
long training camp. Among the 24 players invited is Utah's own Cloee Colohan from West Point.
Colohan is a veteran of the U.S. Soccer system, captaining both the U-17 and U-20 WNT in previous
tournaments.
More than a few days removed and I am only beginning to wrap my head around what transpired in
Seattle last Sunday. There was the beautiful setting of Qwest Field parked just south of the scenic
skyline of the Emerald City. There were the masses swarming the large stadium and crowding the
surrounding streets, filling the air with song.
