RSL has placed more emphasis on CONCACAF Champions League than most MLS teams. That kind of commitment was rewarded on Tuesday as the Lakers became the first MLS side and just the second non-Mexican side to win a group in the three years of the tournament’s current incarnation.
CCL Group Stage: Real Salt Lake Tops Cruz Azul, Wins Group
A record crowd of 20,463 — apparently split almost evenly between Cruz Azul and RSL supporters — saw an entertaining match that nearly lived up to their previous matchup, a 5-4 Cruz Azul victory.
This time, it was RSL that got the better of the play, winning 3-1 behind two goals from Paulo Jr. and another from Collen Warner.
Winning the group will mean RSL will have home-field advantage in the quarterfinals where they will be joined by fellow MLS side Columbus Crew.
The Crew advanced to the quarterfinal by virtue of Santos Laguna’s 6-1 victory over Municipal. Daniel Ludueña and Oribe Peralta each scored two goals for the Mexican side, who clinched the top spot in Group B.
In other CCL matches, Saprissa clinched the second position in Group C after beating the Seattle Sounders. Saprissa overcame an early 1-0 deficit and got a 87th minute goal from Josue Martinez. The Sounders will finish at the bottom of the group.
Toronto FC beat Aribe Unido 1-0 on a Nana Attakora first-half goal.
Wednesday's Games
Group D, Toluca vs. FAS, 8 p.m.: Toluca could advance by just getting a point or could theoretically fail to advance even if they win. In all likelihood, though, a win should put Diablos Rojos through to the quarterfinals and they are facing the group’s worst team. FAS has not yet won a group stage match and is the only team in the group currently sporting a negative goal-differential (-5).
Group D, Olimpia vs. Puerto Rico Islanders, 10 p.m.: Both teams would advance if they win this game, while a tie could theoretically put both sides through. Chances are, though, a tie would be far more acceptable to Olimpia as the Islanders would need Toluca to lose in order to advance with less than a victory. In the midst of the USSFD2 playoffs, the Islanders’ minds may be elsewhere.
Group C, Marathon vs. Monterrey, 10 p.m.: With Saprissa’s victory over the Sounders, this match was rendered meaningless as Monterrey has already secured the top spot in the group and Marathon can no longer catch Saprissa.
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