CONCACAF Champions League, Semifinals: Saprissa & Real Salt Lake Scoreless At Halftime

If you would have told Real Salt Lake before the match that they could have a 0-0 scoreline at halftime they would have taken it in a heartbeat. Well, they have it. The MLS side came into the match with a 2-0 aggregate lead after their home leg and playing Costa Rican side Saprissa at the intimidating Saprissa Stadium, 0-0 is a fantastic scoreline for Salt Lake. This is the fourth year of the CONCACAF Champions League and the winner of this semifinal will become the first non-Mexican side to make the final. Now Salt Lake is just 45 minutes away from becoming that team.

It would be unfair to say that Salt Lake came into the match playing for the 0-0 draw. They didn’t go with an ultra-defensive lineup, instead playing their regular starting XI. They also took a few chances to go forward in the first half, but make no mistake, this was a team clearly thinking safety first. Even so, the visitors had the two best chances of the first half, first when Kyle Beckerman got free 10 yards from goal only to be denied by a fantastic save. Later on, it looked like Salt Lake were going to get a goal on a set piece, but once again a great save kept the scoreline even.

While Salt Lake has had the two best chances of the match, Saprissa has carried most of the play. The opening 15 minutes were dominated by Saprissa and they put Salt Lake under a great deal of pressure. Unfortunately for the home side, they have been unable to turn their possession and attacks into shots on goal. Salt Lake keeper Nick Rimando has done well to gather some crosses, but hasn’t been asked to do much in the way of saves. If Saprissa are to manage the two goals they need to at least force extra time they will need to figure out how to challenge Rimando.

The opening 45 minutes were extremely rough as both side showed no hesitation to go in on tackles. Several players from both teams spent time on the turf. With Saprissa’s desperation only growing and Salt Lake needing to be firm in the tackle, the physicality is only likely to increase in what will be another rough 45 minutes in San Juan.