* Murray: Cheapest land, closest TRAX stop and confirmed public backing.

* Salt Lake City: Capital cachet, top choice for the team's owner and the largest fan base.

* Sandy: A leg up on the money - and perhaps the best shot.

All three cities ultimately need taxpayer support, but insiders are kicking around a deal to combine the already-approved parking facility for the South Towne Expo Center with space for a Sandy soccer stadium for Real Salt Lake.

That could be a $20 million score if Salt Lake County goes along.

"It's just people thinking out loud," County Mayor Peter Corroon said Friday. "But that's certainly something we would look at."

During the 2005 legislative session, state lawmakers approved the parking money as part of an $82 million expansion of the Salt Palace and the Sandy convention center. Salt Lake County coughed up nearly $70 million for the projects, while Salt Lake City committed $8 million and the state $4 million.

Yet, before the politicians can tackle the parking money for soccer, they must persuade legislators to sign off. And, on that front, Sandy has the inside track.

"Salt Lake City has a bad relationship with the Legislature, but Sandy has good relationships," said County Councilman Joe Hatch, who bandied stadium options last week with Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan and RSL officials over lunch at the Alta Club.

Hatch, who represents Salt Lake City on the County Council, insists he won't "go nuts" over any plan that ultimately benefits the county, no matter its location.

"I'm never going to be obstructionist to anything in Salt Lake County that helps the community and does not affect my morals," Hatch said. "Soccer does not affect my morals."

But Salt Lake City officials may consider soccer in Sandy a deal with the devil.

"The $8 million was committed in good faith to Salt Palace expansion," City Councilman Eric Jergensen said Friday. He would not comment further, saying he wanted more details.

For their part, RSL officials say they are open to all options before declaring a home for the $60 million stadium. The team is hoping county taxpayers will bond for up to half of the price tag.

With Sandy's entry into the stadium sweepstakes, Murray Mayor Dan Snarr says he will fight "to the bitter end" to bring RSL to his city.

"I'm still a believer that we've got the best site," he said of the spot east of the TRAX line near 4500 South.

The Sandy location would be near the South Towne Expo Center at 9400 S. State St.

But who is actually doing the pulling for Sandy? That's debatable.

Each of the four potential players - Sandy, Salt Lake County, the governor's office and the team - says the other three are the ones pushing the deal.

Sandy officials say they are more of a bystander than an active participant in the talks.

Tammy Kikuchi, a spokeswoman for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., said the governor's office is only a "facilitator for ideas and options."

"The governor is not supporting one location," she said.

Dean Howes, RSL's chief executive officer, said "the cart's in front of the horse to say we have all sat down and formed some kind of agreement. That's simply not true."

Team leaders, he says, are tied emotionally to improving Salt Lake City's downtown revitalization. At the same time, he insists a multiuse soccer venue can happen anywhere in the valley.

"Our preference is where it can get built," Howes said.

The area identified in Sandy probably has appeal because it has become a popular gathering point for conventions and trade shows that target Utahns. It also soon will be getting access to light rail with a TRAX station planned near 9400 South.

But Murray and Salt Lake City also boast transit points as well as support from city leaders.

Hatch says all three should battle it out on Capitol Hill.

"They should fight, put together their best deals, and go to the Legislature," he said. "We'll see who wins."

jsantini@sltrib.com

djensen@sltrib.com