Monterrey Vs. Real Salt Lake, CONCACAF Champions League: RSL Escapes With 2-2 Tie

RSL will host Monterrey with a chance to hoist the CONCACAF Champions League trophy. After their 2-2 tie with Monterrey, RSL can claim the championship with as little as a 1-1 or 0-0 tie. RSL Soapbox, SB Nation’s Real Salt Lake blog, points out just how good their team is at home:

The goal was doubly important for RSL. Not only is the score tied, but RSL now has two away goals in their pocket, meaning they would win the championship even if next Wednesday’s second leg were to end tied at 0-0 or 1-1.

Shortly after the game’s first goal, Monterrey subbed both De Nigris and Luis Perez. One has to wonder if the two subs were meant for keeping players out of suspension for the next leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Final or if it were to keep players fresh for this weekend’s match.

The goal for Real Salt Lake though is a big one. Getting a road goal in a two legged series like this is a big deal for the MLS club. Should Real Salt Lake hold on to this result, it would mean a big deal to the American club and it’s league.

Shortly after the goal, De Nigris and Luis Perez was subbed out in place of a defensive subs. Monterrey does have a home match this weekend and could be saving players for that or could be saving players for the next leg in this series from picking up any unneeded red cards.

It will be interesting to see if the two early subs by Monterrey will come back to haunt them later on in the match.

For Real Salt Lake, they are going with their best XI. Built around Kyle Beckerman in the center of the midfield, with Jamison Olvae and Nat Borchers anchoring the defense and Alvaro Saborio capable of scoring out of nothing, this is the team that RSL wants to go with whenever possible so they’re in a good spot to try and get a result in Monterrey.

As for the home side, either they are going for a huge home win or they don’t respect Salt Lake very much. Almost everyone in their team tonight is a capable attacker. There is not a ball winner in the midfield and they will undoubtedly be looking to score two, three or even four if their lineup is any indication of their attitude going into tonight’s match.

First up, FMF State of Mind looks at Monterrey’s goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco. Although he has just one cap for the Mexican national team, Orozco might be the best goalkeeper playing in the Mexican Primera.

Next up, FMFSoM looked at the Monterrey defense. While defense may not be Los Rayados’ specialty, they are no slouches in back.

“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.”