The Utah Blitzz announced their schedule this week, and fans will notice two distinct differences. Just as in their inaugural season in 2000, the Blitzz will be calling pristine confines of Rice-Eccles Stadium home again. Secondly, kickoff for all home games will be at 4 p.m.
"We have one of the best stadiums in the country," said Blitzz coach Chris Agnello. "The first year when we played up there were averaging about 4,000 per game."
The Blitzz believe they'll be able to duplicate those attendance figures with the earlier start time.
"It's a good time of day where people can get to Rice stadium and see the game and then get home at a decent hour," said Agnello. "Plus, we have fans that come from as far away as Pocatello, Idaho, to see us play."
By the time Blitzz fans get to see their club, the squad will have already played five games. Utah's home opener isn't until May 10, when they'll host BYU.
For years the Cougars have been a club team, but coach Chris Watkins got approval from the university and the United Soccer Leagues to forgo they're typical club soccer schedule to join the PDL. Even though that league is a notch below the league the Blitzz play, games between the two teams still count in the league standings.
In an effort to spice up the rivalry, Agnello announced that the team will revert to their traditional red and white home uniforms "to stoke the fire."
Utah's season opener is April 11 at the California Gold.
In their three years of existence, the Blitzz have advanced to the national semifinals all three years, which included a national title in 2001.
The Blitzz's game on June 14 against Orange County has been a hot topic of discussion since the Deseret News reported last month that Blitzz game would be followed by a U.S. Women's National Team exhibition match. An official announcement is expected in the next few weeks.
An even bigger soccer juggernaut could heading this way.
In conjunction with BYU and Utah's Mexican Consulate, negotiations are in the works to bring the under-23 Mexican National team to Utah to play the Cougars and Blitzz on the weekend of Cinco de Mayo. There are still plenty of details to be ironed about before an official announcement is made.
E-MAIL: jedward@desnews.com