Real Salt Lake's fortress is quite as impenetrable as it seemed. Heading into their home leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final with Monterrey tied 2-2 on aggregate, RSL fell 1-0. The loss ended their 37-match home unbeaten streak and left them one goal short of becoming the first MLS team to earn a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup. Instead, Monterrey becomes the third straight Mexican team to win the CCL.
Real Salt Lake Vs. Monterrey, CONCACAF Champions League Final: RSL Falls Short
Ultimately, RSL just couldn't break through against a Monterrey defense that seemed perfectly willing to defend once Humberto Suazo gave them a 1-0 lead just before the end of the first half. RSL was able to apply some serious pressure in the closing minutes and forced Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco into some quality saves. But the RSL attack lacked the kind of classing finishing that allowed Monterrey to score on their only shot on goal.
If there is a goat in a RSL kit, it was probably Jamison Olave. On the game's goal, he allowed Suazo to get between him and the goal and never seemed to make much attempt to impede him as he followed up as Sergio Santana was able to get around his defender.
Ned Grabavoy seemed to perform admirably in place of Kyle Beckerman, the RSL captain who was forced to sit out with yellow card accumulation. RSL was able to hold possession in the midfield and were able to create some chances, just not finish them.
The loss can’t help but be a letdown for RSL, which had become the banner carrier for MLS. While they were the first MLS team to advance beyond the CCL quarterfinals, this will clearly be seen as a disappointment to a team that had set its sights high. Now, they will have to turn their attention to MLS after having literally rearranged their schedule to accommodate their CCL run.
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