Surging Real Salt Lake Finally Living Up to Its Name

Filed under: MLS, Chicago Fire, D.C. United, Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake is making it up to the region it ignored when choosing its name, and then some.

In late 2004, investor Dave Checketts looked past the rich history and symbolism of Salt Lake City, Utah and the American west and selected for his MLS expansion team a name that signified patronage from the king of Spain.

The new Real Salt Lake franchise lacked such patronage, of course, along with any connection whatsoever to Europe or the soccer traditions that Checketts was intending to co-opt.

He was a poseur, and it seemed as if the club was hoping to appropriate someone else's aura, history and resonance with local soccer fans rather than build its own. It was a depressing development.

 

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