And the Sportsmanship Award Goes to…
Kreis shocked reporters with news that Salt Lake would transport Eddie Johnson back to Seattle.
Monday’s daily presser with Jason Kreis contained a big surprise. When asked if Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando would be available for Wednesday’s match in Seattle, despite playing the night before with the USMNT, Kreis shocked the surrounding reporters.
“We’ve just finalized plans to get those guys there immediately after the game in Kansas City,” Kreis said. “One of our owners has a plane, and we’ll be flying them immediately from Kansas City to Seattle … as well as Seattle’s Eddie Johnson.”
The surprising show of sportsmanship will certainly be a story line going into the game, and it may impact the result. Johnson scored twice for the US against Antigua and Barbuda and is tied for fifth in Major League Soccer with 14 league goals this season.
“We’re doing Seattle a big solid I think,” Kreis said. “Hopefully the good karma will come back to us.”
Johnson is far more likely to see time Tuesday night than Beckerman or Rimando so Salt Lake’s sportsmanship may not be too costly on the field.
Still, Salt Lake giving up a potential advantage for the good of the league is a breath of fresh air in a sports world rife with half-broken rules and outright corruption. Good for Real Salt Lake management.
Category: News
