By almost all reasonable accounts, Real Salt Lake was thoroughly outplayed during the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League final with Monterrey on Wednesday. Yet, they will be heading back to Rio Tinto Stadium all even after Javier Morales scored a 89th minute goal to tie the score 2-2.
Monterrey Vs. Real Salt Lake, CONCACAF Champions League: Javier Morales Sends RSL Home Even
Morales' goal came entirely against the run of play and just moments after Humberto Suazo nearly gave Los Rayanos a 3-1 lead, but RSL goalkeeper was able to get a hand on the chip attempt to keep it out of the goal. On the tying score, Morales received the ball just outside the penalty area, made some space by faking a shot and then blasted the ball past Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco.
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.
RSL will likely need every advantage they can muster as they will be playing without defensive midfielder Kyle Beckerman, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the tournament in the 65th minute. In order to become the first MLS team to win CCL, they'll also likely have to turn in a better performance than they did on this day. Monterrey had one goal disallowed for an incorrect offside call and were denied one penalty on what appeared to be a clear hand ball. They also controlled possession and generally looked to be the better team while building 1-0 and 2-1 leads.
The Royals, though, deserve credit for battling back each time. Aldo De Nigris gave the home team the first lead in the 18th minute. Nat Borchers scored the first equalizer in the 35th minute that came off a Will Johnson pass. After Suazo scored on a penalty to give Monterrey the 2-1 lead, Morales once again showed why he just might be the best player in MLS.
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