RSL Excite, Jazz Disappoint

Utah isn’t the best place for pro sports, but over the last two weekends we had some great opportunities to cheer on our local teams.

On April 28, Megan and I got invited to go to a Real Salt Lake soccer match. Megan has been playing soccer for several years and was excited to go on a daddy daughter date to see how the pros play the game. We had a great time even though it was a little chilly. Of course, it helped that we had sweet tickets: midfield, about 7 rows up, with free concessions and a parking pass! (Thanks, Jason!)

The match was very exciting. RSL was in stoppage time when they scored the winning goal. We went crazy! It’s always better when the home team wins.

The next weekend (May 5), Jacob was offered Jazz tickets by his uncle (thanks Matt T!). It’s not everyday that you get a chance to go see the NBA Playoffs, so Jacob and I jumped at the chance. We knew the Jazz were over-matched by the Spurs. The Jazz had barely eeked into the playoffs as an 8 seed, lost the previous game by 30, were down 2-0 in the series, but were coming home to play in Energy Solutions Arena. Surely, this would be the game for the Jazz to steal a victory.

We rode Trax up (where do all those weirdos come from, anyway?), ate in the new City Creek Center, and then walked to the game excited to experience one of the best home courts in the NBA during the Playoffs against a hated rival.

It was not to be. From the opening tip, the Spurs controlled the game. The Jazz made a few runs, but Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and the Spurs were way too good and ended up winning comfortably. We had fun, cheered loudly and booed even louder, popped tons of balloons, and even got a seat on Trax on the way home. Another great sports fan weekend.