Steve Pastorino

SL Interview: Steve Pastorino

GM of Real Salt Lake

February 10, 2005

After just completing an interview with Whit Haskel from CD Chivas USA, we felt it necessary to get the other new GM's position on where his team stands and more importantly where they are going. Steve Pastorino, the first General Manager for expansion Real Salt Lake. Steve gives some insight into the team's current stadium situation as well as details on player personnel. Check it out:

SoccerLoop: What are your primary goals for the debut season for Real Salt Lake?

Steve Pastorino: In year one, we need to establish ourselves - on and off the field. We need to prove that soccer will thrive in Utah through means such as overall ticket sales, developing broadcast partners, cultivating sponsorships and building a "professional soccer culture" in the Salt Lake City region and throughout the state. The initial response has been very positive. We are getting phenomenal media coverage, as we are signing marquee players and there is not a lot of competition for coverage in the sports section.

On the field, we don't expect to be a "typical" expansion team in other American team sports that don't compete for several years. We're using the Chicago Fire in 1998 as a model for a team that can compete and win immediately. We're pleased with our core of veterans, including Clint Mathis, Eddie Pope, Andy Williams and Jason Kreis - and with our young players who could be with us for a long, long time, Nik Besagno, Jaime Watson, DJ Countess, etc. Most importantly, we've hand-selected players that we think will come together as a team.

SL: How have ticket sales been going for the team's first season?

SP: The response has been great. We're currently sitting about 6th in MLS in season ticket sales with a goal of ranking in the Top 3 alongside the perennial top teams like the Galaxy by year end.

SL: You and John Ellinger are certainly building a very formidable team. Will you be competing for the Cup in your first season?

SP: We certainly intend to. Anyone who follows MLS knows that depth, injuries and fortune play a large role in who holds up over a 7-month season. Time will tell.

SL: The team has plenty of Senior and Youth International spots available. We've been hearing about Marlon Rojas and a Bosnian center back. Any details on either of these or any other future signings?

SP: In the case of Rojas we are waiting on some paperwork. We're optimistic we'll announce his signing in the next month. The Bosnian back is due to pick up his visa and join us in camp this week. We will make his formal announcement as soon as he arrives. It's been a little difficult to communicate with him in Sarajevo. Suffice it to say, he is a Youth International, approximately 6-foot-5 and comes very well recommended. After drafting Cameron Knowles (New Zealand) in the supplemental draft, we have players with ties to five continents. We haven't felt the need to sign big-name, high-priced international talent because of the strength of some of our domestic players.

SL: Where do you currently stand with regards to a possible soccer specific stadium?

SP: We are negotiating with Salt Lake City and Murray (first suburb south of SLC) for a soccer/music venue. We hope to play in it in 2007. These stadiums don't get built overnight. They require so much political, community and economic development. I am impressed how far along we are in the process since we haven't even played a game. It shows the respect that this community has for our ownership group, and the vision of Dave Checketts. I'm optimistic.

SL: Whose original idea was it to bring in Jason Kreis? Yours, John Ellinger's or Jason himself?

SP: It really came from Jason. John and I got the call from him - took one look at each other and said, "We have to make this happen." He's a special player in the history of this league and will be invaluable to our organization on and off the field.

SL: What are some of those invaluable things Jason will bring to the team?

SP: The signing of Jason meant instant credibility and leadership. There's only one all-time leading goal-scorer in MLS and our fans immediately took notice when we signed him that we were serious about having world-class players. Kreis has served this league and our national team admirably in the past nine years. He was moved practically to tears when the Burn gave him the captaincy last year. It speaks to the respect that his teammates have for him and that he has for this game. We expect great things from him this year.

SL: Steve, thanks for your time.

SP: Thanks for your interest in Real Salt Lake's debut season. We are honored to join the ranks of MLS and look forward to many historic days. I love the new energy that we and Chivas USA bring to MLS. It should be a fantastic season.

Interview by: Steven Patton