Real Salt Lake Proceeding To Play Road Match Against Portland Timbers
Aug 28, 2020, 3:04 PM
Real Salt Lake midfielder Albert Rusnak (11) protects the ball from Portland Timbers defender Jorge Moreira (2) during the second half of a Major League Soccer playoff game at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (Courtesy of Deseret News)
(Courtesy of Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake plans to play the club’s originally scheduled match against the Portland Timbers following a canceled match in protest of the Jacob Blake shooting.
RSL is scheduled to face the Timbers on Saturday, August 29 at 8:30 p.m. (MDT).
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Canceled Match vs. LAFC
On Wednesday, August 26, Real Salt Lake’s home match against Los Angeles FC was canceled following multiple sporting events that weren’t played due to boycotts following Blake’s shooting on Sunday, August 23.
“In solidarity with the players from both teams, tonight’s match has been canceled,” Real Salt Lake posted following the cancellation vs. LAFC.
Return to Play
On Friday, August 28, Major League Soccer released the following statement to announce the return to play following “a period of reflection and conversation” about racial injustice and human rights:
“On Wednesday, Aug. 26, Major League Soccer players stood in solidarity with athletes across North America, as MLS matches were postponed in recognition of the struggle for racial equality and human rights. The league, its clubs, owners and staff supported this effort and the goal of bringing recognition to these important issues.
Following a period of reflection and conversation with the Black Players for Change (BPC), the league’s players, and the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), matches will resume beginning tonight with the Montreal Impact hosting Toronto FC.
The Black Players for Change are scheduled to meet with MLS owners, as the players and the league continue working together to create long-term change both inside and outside of MLS.”
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 28, 2020
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Comments by Real Salt Lake’s Owner
The day after RSL’s canceled match, club owner Dell Loy Hansen joined a local radio program to address the decision Real Salt Lake players to not play against LAFC.
“The disrespect is profound to me personally,” Hansen told X96 on Thursday, August 27.
A few hours later, Hansen joined another local radio program to apologize for his previous remarks.
Later on Thursday, MLS announced a investigation into Hansen’s conduct and allegations made against the RSL owner.
RSL’s match at Portland will begin on Saturday, August 29 at 8:30 p.m. (MDT). It will broadcast via the KSL TV app, KSLSports.com, ESPN+, and 700 AM.
