SANDY, Utah (Tuesday, November 24, 2015) – Real Salt Lake announced plans for the club’s 2016 preseason schedule as the club gears up for the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal Round meeting with UANL Tigres. This year, preseason will feature training camp in San Diego and a series of matches in Tucson, including the club’s fifth consecutive appearance in the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup.
After reporting to Rio Tinto Stadium on January 22, RSL will spend its first 10 days in San Diego from Jan. 24-Feb. 3. All RSL players will be required to report for entry physicals on Fri., January 22, prior to departing for California.
After a brief return to Utah, camp will then shift to Tucson, where RSL will play in the Desert Friendlies and the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup.
RSL will face the Portland Timbers on Feb. 11 in the Desert Friendlies and will stay in Tucson for the Desert Diamond Cup where it will play in two matches. Last year, Real Salt Lake won the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, taking home the preseason trophy for the first time in four appearances in the tournament.
The Claret-and-Cobalt will not finish the entirety of the Desert Diamond Cup, though, as the tournament runs through February 27 and RSL will start play in Champions League earlier that week.
Fans interested in watching the premier MLS preseason tournament of 2016 in person can visit www.FCTucson.com to secure their seats at the Kino Sports Complex.
In addition to RSL’s preseason trips, Real Monarchs SLC will have its first international preseason camp, spending two weeks in Costa Rica in February.
Real Salt Lake 2016 Preseason Schedule (subject to change)
Friday, Jan. 22 – Entrance physicals in Salt Lake City
Saturday, Jan. 23 – Physical testing/training sessions in Salt Lake City area (time/locations/media access TBA)
Spring Training Trip #1 – San Diego, CA
Sunday, Jan. 24 – Travel to San Diego CA
Wednesday, Feb. 3 - Return to Utah
Spring Training Trip #2 – FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup and Desert Friendlies at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, AZ
Sunday, Feb. 7 – Travel to Tucson, AZ
Thursday, Feb. 11 – Desert Friendly vs. Portland Timbers – 11:30 a.m. MT
Wednesday, Feb. 17 – Match #1
Saturday, Feb. 20 – Match #2
Monday, Feb. 22 – Depart for Mexico for CCL Quarterfinals
Real Monarchs SLC Preseason Schedule (Subject to Change)
Friday, Jan. 8 – Players report
Monday, Jan. 11 – First day of training in Utah
Friday, Feb. 5 – Depart for Costa Rica
Friday, Feb. 19 – Return to Utah
