Monterrey Vs. Real Salt Lake, CONCACAF Champions League Preview: History Is Waiting
Real Salt Lake will be looking down the barrel of history when they visit Monterrey on Wednesday during the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League final. As has been repeated plenty, no MLS team has advanced this far in this version of tournament, let alone won it. In case you're wondering, yes, RSL players, coaches and, especially their owner, are definitely aware of all of this.
“The support coming in from our fellow owners and from player to player and coach to coach has been extraordinary,” RSL owner Dave Checketts said. “I heard form almost all my fellow owners. They all recognize what’s at stake here. We are flying a banner that not only says RSL, but MLS.
“It’s an enromous dose of credibility in terms of the quality of play and competitiveness. They recognize all that. they know we’ve put a tremendous amount of energy into this.”
In order to complete this historic run, RSL will at least have to avoid suffering the same fate as so many other MLS teams when they visit Mexico. In the history of U.S. teams -- both national and club -- going to Mexico, none has ever left with a victory in hand. RSL came as close as anyone during their last trip there, leading Cruz Azul 3-1 in the 75th minute. But a five-goal flurry during the final 15-plus minutes resulted in a 5-4 RSL loss.
While it might be tempting for RSL coach Jason Kreis to take a cautious approach during the trip to Estadio Tecnologico, he seems intent on being just as aggressive as ever. Kreis knows that his team will have to take care of the ball, but doesn’t want to turn into a bunkering team.
“We talked about that and I’m a big believer that if you attack well enough, you’ll limit number of times you have to defend,” Kreis said. “We’re not going to change philosophy because we’re in final or playing a great opponent.”
How They Got Here
- Monterrey: Los Rayados have yet to lose during CCL, compiling an 8-0-2 record during group and elimination play. They outscored their opponents 16-6 during that stretch. In the quarterfinals, they beat Mexican Primer rival Toluca 2-0 on aggregate and then beat Cruz Azul 3-2 in the semifinals.
- Real Salt Lake: The Royals were the highest scoring team in CCL, putting together a 6-2-2 reocrd and outscoring their opponents 24-14. They beat the Columbus Crew in the quarterfinals 4-1 on aggregate and Saprissa 3-2 in the semifinals.
Players to watch
- Monterrey: Humberto Suazo may very well be the best club player in North America. There was some speculation that an injury would keep him out of this final, but he has put off surgery and now looks healthy, having played 72 minutes in Monterrey's most recent Mexican Primera match. Aldo de Nigris is usually his strike partner and, amazingly, is nearly as dangerous.
- Real Salt Lake: Throughout the tournament, Alvaro Saborio has been one of the most effective players, scoring eight goals. But what makes RSL so good is the diversity of their attack. Four players have scored at least three goals during the tournament and six players have scored at least twice. Javier Morales, Fabian Espindola and even backup Paulo Jr. are all potential game-changers.
Probable lineups
- Real Salt Lake (4-4-2): GK: Rimando; DF: Russell, Olave, Borchers, Beltran; MF: Johnson, Beckerman, Williams, Morales; FW: Saborio, EspindolaMonterrey (4-4-2): GK: Orozco; DF: Osorio, Basanta, Mier, S. Perez; MF: Cardozo, Zavala, L. Perez, Martinez; FW: De Nigris, Suazo
Head to head
- Real Salt Lake wins if: Winning is not an absolute must. Coming out even, might not even be totally necessary. But RSL knows they need to probably score at least a goal and can't afford to head home needing to make up anymore than a one-goal deficit. Jamison Olave and Nat Borchers, together the best center back pairing in MLS, will have their hands full with Suazo and De Nigris. If they can limit that duo to one goal, RSL should be fine.
- Monterrey wins if: No team can like their chances of winning at Rio Tinto Stadium, so expect Los Rayados to come out swinging in their home leg. With the away-goal rule being in effect, they'll want to avoid a shootout like the one Cruz Azul found themselves in when RSL visited them, but controlling possession would accomplish that just fine. If Jesus Zavala and Luis Perez can control the midfield, it will be a good day for Monterrey.
Prediction
Expect Monterrey to play a possession oriented game and limit RSL’s chances. I feel like a 2-1 Monterrey victory is likely, which should still give RSL a decent chance to turn it around at home.
For more Primera League coverage visit FMF State Of Mind. For RSL coverage, visit RSL Soapbox.
* Thanks to Eben Lehman of FMF State of Mind providing information about Monterrey.
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