It wasn't quite opening night on Broadway, but to a man the Real Salt Lake players couldn't talk enough about the noise and passion swirling around and onto the Rio Tinto Stadium field.
"It was amazing," defender Chris Wingert said moments following RSL's 1-1 tie with visiting New York Red Bulls on Thursday night that ushered in a new era of soccer in Utah.
"It was loud. Everything was perfect," Wingert continued. "Everyone did a good job. The only thing not perfect might have been the result."
RSL (9-10-9), fighting for a Major League Soccer playoff spot, remained tied with the Red Bulls (9-10-9) with 36 points. The final score was disappointing considering an announced sellout of 20,008 braved 53 degree winds.
"It was crazy," RSL forward Robbie Findley said. "Now we have a home."
The difference in atmosphere when compared to RSL's old home, Rice-Eccles Stadium, was apparent prior to kick off.
The closed in stadium with seats nearer to the field translated into more noise.
"Frustrating," repeated RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman. "I'm disappointed. We let the fans down tonight. They were amazing. They deserved our best performance and we gave them our worst performance of the year."
Real Salt Lake opened the game with more ball possession and opened a few early chances against the Red Bulls' defense that kept nine to 10 players on their side of the ball.
However, after the quick start, RSL became inconsistent. New York finally broke through on one of seven corner kicks. Salt Lake goalie Nick Rimando stretched full out to make the save and Beckerman cleared the ball.
However, Dave van den Bergh one-timed the clearance with his left foot to the far right post in the 31st minute. Rimando had no chance.
"It was the only chance they had," Rimando said. "It was a big night emotionally. What a great atmosphere.
"We were trying a little too hard. The emotions were high and we were raring to go. We wanted to do everything in one minute."
The moment RSL fans had waited for finally came in the 41st minute when Jamison Olave converted an RSL corner. A deafening roar greeted his game-tying goal.
Real was better in the second half and had a man advantage during the final seven minutes when New York's Juan Pietravallo was red carded for kicked Clint Mathes in the head.
"We were disappointed at halftime," Wingert said. "We weren't very happy with our performance in the first half. Hopefully, we can play better."
