Sandy » Fans celebrated Real Salt Lake's championship trophy with high-fives, boisterous chants and plenty of hearty yells Tuesday.

On a day Utah Gov. Gary Herbert declared "Real Salt Lake Day," soccer lovers flocked to big bashes at the state Capitol and the team's Sandy stadium -- some of them even lined the route in between to wave to RSL's motorcade.

On Tuesday, about 6,000 fans spilled into Rio Tinto Stadium to cheer the team's momentous win against the star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday for the 2009 Major League Soccer championship.

"This team earned it," Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan said. "In our galaxy, these are the stars."

As the players took the

field, fans stood and held their RSL scarves, including a new black-and-white, two-sided model that reads "champions." Some of the most devoted were allowed onto the field to welcome the champs in person. Kids gave their favorite stars high-fives as the players ran in, while the kids' parents snapped photos.

Members of the Latino fan club Barra Real pounded drums, donned sombreros and chanted the team's signature cheer "Olé, Olé, Olé."

Thirteen-year-old Andy Bergeson got a one-of-a-kind souvenir: RSL mascot Leo the Lion autographed his red cell phone in black marker. Bergeson attended the party with his Utah Soccer Alliance team.

"He's the world's best mascot," Bergeson declared. His enthusiasm extended to the players and coach Jason Kreis.

"I love you," Bergeson shouted to Kreis when he took the stage.

Draper residents Steve and Dee Trauba brought their two daughters to the event because they wanted to be "part of history."

"We've never been part of a great championship before," said Steve Trauba, who coaches his 9-year-old daughter's soccer team. "To not have a national [pro] championship since 1971, this is a true win for the entire state."

Janeth Melero, 28, and her 11-year-old niece, Jenny Barrandey, traveled from Ogden to participate in the festivities. Watching the championship game, was "awesome," Barrandey said.

"We cried. We screamed. We celebrated," Melero added.

Patrick Monahan, also from Ogden, said watching the team's remarkable five-game winning streak to finish the historic season was therapeutic -- literally. As an Air Force veteran of the war in Afghanistan, Monahan said his therapist told him that releasing some of his emotions while cheering for his favorite soccer team could help him cope with post-traumatic stress.

RSL "supported me so I'm supporting them," Monahan said. He suggested a statue of goalkeeper Nick Rimando, the championship match's MVP, be placed at the Capitol.

"Don't run for governor, Nick," quipped Herbert at the Capitol ceremony. "Now all of Utah are soccer fans."

The team thanked its devotees Tuesday -- referring to them as the "greatest fans in the MLS" -- with free hot chocolate and popcorn.

Owner Dave Checketts said he plans to build a "dynasty" in Utah.

"They went on one of the great runs in sports history to become the champions of the world," he said. "I know there are other soccer leagues -- but they don't count today."

rwinters@sltrib.com