The Brigade’s Monumental Expedition:
An afternoon with greatness.

You wanted it, you will get it: the “play by play” of the press conference between Real Salt Lake and Real Madrid.

UteAnimal and I arrive at Rice Eccles Stadium at 12:00 in time for lunch. What is amazing is how quickly our front office put together a logo for this August 12 friendly.

The logo reads “Showdown Real” with both the logos on either side as well as the date and the stadium. It looks fantastic. The front office mentioned that having Real Madrid on a logo with another club is rare and it’s truly amazing that we share the logo for the friendly.

Lunch was served as the President, Animal and I enjoy the discussion (discussing our club in the middle of an unbeaten streak is a lot of fun).

The front office was there and representatives from Real Madrid included: Emilio Butragueño, Vice-President, Miguel Anandez, International Development Director and Ivan Bravo Martin, International Development Manager.

Uncle Dave discussed his vision when first contemplating buying a MLS team for Salt Lake. This game has been in the works for two years.

Emilio Butragueño then addressed the group. He said he was grateful for Real Madrid to have this opportunity to come play in Salt Lake. The quote that really hit home to me as a fan of RSL is when Butragueño mentioned that, “Salt Lake will be a power in soccer in five years.”

He mentioned all their stars will be coming to Salt Lake and that they want to win. He hopes they live up to expectations.

Emilio, being able to see these stars live and being able to yell at them is fulfilling expectations.

Gifts were given. Crystal bowls with RSL and Real Madrid’s logo were given to the representatives from Real Madrid along with RSL match jersey’s with their names.

Mr. Butragueño gave Uncle Dave a Real Madrid jersey with Salt Lake City on the back.

Some side commentary, President Young of the University of Utah mentioned that Dave kept him on a limb through this process because when Dave mentioned he was going to play at the home of the Utes, President Young wasn’t sure if he was talking about Rice Eccles or Lavel Edwards Stadium.

Jason Kreis guaranteed a win for….Real. Just Real.

After the presentation it was time to break up for interviews. Heretic, Animal and I gave Emilio a scarf from the RCB and spoke with him in Spanish. Being a new fan of soccer, I did not truly grasp the awesome opportunity it was to meet “one of the finest strikers in the history of Spanish Soccer.” Heretic and Animal informed me the momentous opportunity I had.
Video with Emilio Butragueño