So how did Rio Tinto Stadium fare on its first night hosting Real Salt Lake? The early reviews in the blogosphere are positive:

• Michael Cardillo, AOL's FanHouse: "Watching the game on ESPN2 the new digs came across pretty well. Then again, it's always nice to be able to watch an MLS game that isn't dominated by NFL gridiron lines or artificial turf. ... Perhaps the oddest sight of the night came in the form of multiple, shall we say, MILFs flashing devil horns to the cameras. Not sure what that says about the state of Utah, but it probably bodes well for RSL."
• Dave Martinez, The Offside (blog of the New York Red Bulls): "Let me give credit where it is due - Rio Tinto Stadium is absolutely gorgeous. And the RSL fans were electric, as would be expected for the debut of their home stadium."
• Ridge Mahoney, Soccer America Daily: "The 20,008 fans, most bundled up in rather chilly weather of 47 degrees, put on their own show for a national ESPN2 audience. A bagpiper wailed in tribute to, presumably, RSL's resident Scots, defender Ian Joy and striker Kenny Deuchar. Fans in several sections sported king's crowns ('real' translates to 'royal'). Drumming and buzz reverberated throughout the facility for most of the match yet the excitement dissipated as RSL's efforts to score the winning goal fell short."
• Randy Davis, Goal.com: "Thursday begins a new era for soccer in Utah. This will be an era of soccer played on a spectacular pitch in a dazzling new stadium. There will be no odd bounces as a result of the unpredictable turf, and no unsightly football lines."

Perhaps the only people who didn't like the new stadium are those who left Thursday's match only to find their cars - parked at an abandoned Lowe's hardware store nearby - had been towed. According to KSL, car owners could get their cars back from Speedy Towing for $227, cash.

(Photo: Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune)

Labels: Real Salt Lake, Rio Tinto Stadium