Real Salt Lake

In a rare afternoon game for Real Salt Lake, they were able to take advantage of a great opportunity by putting in a needed goal while playing much of the game up two men.

After battling the eight-man Chivas USA defense for most of the second half, and after having multiple scoring chances fall away, Will Johnson finally punched in the only goal of the match for a 1-0 victory over the visitors.

While Real Salt Lake did get the win and was able to move to 15 points in just six matches, the news of the day was another major injury to an elite Major League Soccer player.

Playing down a man due to two yellow cards shown to teammate Andrew Boyens, Chivas forward Marcos Mondaini needlessly and recklessly tackled fellow Argentine Javier Morales after being beaten near the corner of the box.

It appeared that as Morales planted to shoot, Mondaini slid into the back of his leg and ankle to break up the play.

Not only did he break up the play, he broke Morales' ankle, and sent him to the bench for what looks to be the remainder of the season. Morales was immediately taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Following the match, Team Doctor Andrew Cooper joined the broadcast team on the KALL 700 post game show.

In that interview he stated that the injury to Morales is being classified as a "Fracture, Dislocation." He later explained that the bone near his ankle was broken, causing the ankle to dislocate.

He went on to say that the injury will most likely require surgery and that the earliest recovery time would be four months. Dr. Cooper was hopeful, however, that Morales could return to full fitness following healing and rehabilitation.

Following the match, Real Salt Lake players were happy with the result of the match, but were clearly affected and in tears over the injury.

Not that anyone can match the play-making ability of Morales, and to say that he will be missed is an understatement, but Head Coach Jason Kreis does have some options that he can use in coming matches.

Today's goal scorer Will Johnson, Andy Williams, and young player Collen Warner could all see some time in the attacking mid-field position that is now vacated due to a needless foul.

Real Salt Lake plays three of their next four matches at home which may help them to figure out how to move forward without Morales.

It is now up to Major League Soccer to sort out the discipline of this foul, and to send a message to the league that this type of dangerous play will not be tolerated. One thought is that the player who ends the season of another on a play such as this should be suspended for as many games as the player who is injured.

While they have some decisions to make, this could be a pivotal time in the league to better ensure the safety of the game.

Scoring Summary:  
Real Salt Lake: Will Johnson 1 (First of season) 87'

Misconduct Summary:  
Chivas: Andrew Boyens (Caution; Tactical Foul) 15' 
Chivas: Andrew Boyens (Caution; Tactical Foul) 24' 
Chivas: Andrew Boyens (Ejection; Second Caution) 24' 
Chivas: Marcos Mondaini (Ejection; Serious Foul Play) 37'

MLS side Real Salt Lake were so close to winning the CONCACAF Champions League, they could probably taste it but the only goal of a pulsating second leg came from their Mexican opponents, Monterrey.


by Marc Roseblade



On Wednesday night at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, RSL had the opportunity to become only the third MSL side to win the continental trophy and after a tremendous effort during the first leg of the final in Mexico, had walked away with a brilliant 2-2 draw.

The result must have lightened the thoughts of even the most hardened of supporter, that maybe, just maybe the team from Salt Lake could achieve the monumental task that stood before them.

The match went as planned with the bulk of play being in the home sides possession and with countless amounts of shots on goal, it looked like the tide of optimism would turn into silverware.

However Humberto Suazo scored six seconds into first-half injury time for the Mexican side with a goal inside the six yard area that was not to be equalized during the preceding 45 minutes of game time.

The win allowed Mexico a 27th CONCACAF Champions League trophy and it came on the back of seven games without a win for Monterrey and also against a 34-match unbeaten home run for the American side.

RSL, who were playing without suspended captain Kyle Beckerman, didn't let this stop them from bombarding the Monterrey goal area, who were forced into playing counter attacking football for most of the first half, playing with nine players in the last 25 yards of the park for most of that time.

Espindola was first to test Monterrey keeper Orozco in the sixth minute and continued with the onslaught throughout the first half.

RSL goalie Nick Rimando had to intercept a rare Monterrey foray into the home sides penalty area beating a sprinting Jose Maria Basanta to the ball but as far as pressure went, that was it for the away side in the first half until they scored right before half time when a Suazo clever one two ended with him firing into the net with his left peg from close range.

Salt Lake continued to pound their opponents goal area in search of the equalizing goal and Alvaro Saborio went close with a header that whizzed into keeper Orozco's hands with 23 minutes remaining on the clock.

Monterrey were under real pressure for the final remaining 20 minutes, with clearance after clearance having to be made and if not for a 94th minute diving goal line clearance from Orozco, the match would have went to RSL.

Monterrey Defeat MLS Side Real Salt Lake in CONCACAF Champions League

In most major sports, if you lose a championship game, you have plenty of time to think about it.

After losing the Super Bowl, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to wait nearly nine months to play again.

When the Texas Rangers lost the World Series they had to wait about six months, and the second place team in the NBA this season will have all the way into the fall to think about losing the big one.

Unfortunately, this is not the case for Real Salt Lake, who suffered the worst loss in team history last night to Monterrey in the final leg of the CONCACAF Champions League.

Following a heartbreaking 1-0 loss on a goal by Chilean forward Humberto Suazo, Real Salt Lake has only a few days until they are expected to be back on the pitch as they resume Major League Soccer play on the road against the expansion Portland Timbers.

Real Salt Lake has looked like the team to beat early in this Major League Soccer season. They are currently undefeated with four wins, as well as hold an 18 game regular season unbeaten streak.

They currently trail the Los Angeles Galaxy by just three points, but have played four fewer matches. Real Salt Lake also has a league road win against the New England Revolution that was played primarily by reserve players.

This is pretty impressive considering they do not have the same level of perceived star power as teams such as the Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls.

As Real Salt Lake picks up the pieces from a devastating loss, and moves forward in league play, there is still plenty to play for. Success in any one of three of the four areas would lead them back into CONCACAF Champions League play, and they still have the opportunity to meet pre-season goals such as: 

Western Conference Championship

While this is the only one of the four that does not lead back into the CONCACAF tournament, it is one of the goals that every team sets at the beginning of the season.

At this point, Real Salt Lake sits in second place in the conference with wins over the other two of the top three teams. They beat the defending champion Colorado Rapids by one goal in stoppage time, and dominated the Galaxy 4-1.

They will play some big games on the road against tough Western Conference teams, but having played less games than any other team in he league, Real Salt Lake is in good shape to win the conference.

Major League Soccer Supporters Shield

Similar to winning the Western Conference, but one step further, Real Salt Lake would love to win the Supporters Shield.

This award, given annually to the team with the highest point total at the end of the season, is considered by many to be the mark of the true Major League Soccer champion.

The winner not only qualifies for CONCACAF Champions League play, they enter the tournament directly in the group stage.

Last season, Real Salt Lake fell just short of the honor, being outscored by the L.A. Galaxy by three points.

In 2009, the year they won the MLS Cup, Real Salt Lake finished eighth in total points.

With 12 points through their first four matches, they are currently in a good position to end the season  with the most points.

As good as the start of the season has been, they must stay consistent as there are a lot of matches yet to be played.

Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

By virtue of their regular season record last season, Real Salt Lake is one of six Major League Soccer teams that automatically qualified for this tournament.

A total of eight MLS teams, and 21 amateur teams will compete in this competition, with the winner earning a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League.

While play in games for other MLS teams has begun, competition will be in addition to regular season matches and will start for Real Salt Lake in late June, with play running through October. Unless there are schedule changes, all U.S. Open Cup matches will be played on Tuesdays.

Due to their success in this year's CONCACAF league, many will view Real Salt Lake as one of the favorites to return to that tournament through this competition.

Major League Soccer Cup Championship

Fans would like nothing more than to see Real Salt Lake win their second MLS Cup at the end of this season, and add another star to the top of their logo.

With a strong team that features depth at every position, Real Salt Lake is already one of a few favorites to win a second Cup in three seasons.

The winner of the 10 team MLS Cup tournament will automatically receive a berth in the group stage of the CONCACAF tournament. The runner up will also get into the tournament, but will enter in the preliminary stage.

Hopefully for Real Salt Lake fans there will come the day when the team returns to the CONCACAF Champions League finals so that they can take care of the business left unfinished this year.

As disappointing as the recent loss was, the future is very bright for Real Salt Lake and they have a great chance to continue to make history on the field.

It will not be easy for them, but they are set up well to continue it's success and make a run through Major League Soccer this season.

They definitely have a lot to play for.

In the biggest international sporting event in the state of Utah since the 2002 Winter Olympics, Real Salt Lake matched up with Monterrey in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League finals Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium. 

Despite all of the hype and potential for Real Salt Lake to make soccer history, it just was not meant to be as the visiting team from Mexico left with a 1-0 victory.

In the aggregate scoring, Monterrey finished the series and became the champions with a 3-2 advantage. Both teams scored two goals in the first leg in Mexico.

After the match, head coach Jason Kreis pointed to a 15 minute stretch just before halftime where a defensive lapse proved to be the difference in this match.

Just seconds before the first half whistle blew, Chilean forward Humberto Suazo knocked in the only goal of the match. The goal was scored as his teammate got free in the box and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando just missed the ball on his dive as the ball was left for Suazo instead of shot.

Real Salt Lake did have plenty of moments to pull even in the match in the second half, but just missed several opportunities to score. The best chance came in the 88th minute when the Monterrey goalkeeper swiped away a ball that appeared to be on the goal line, but not completely over.

After scoring their goal, Monterrey seemed content to settle in, play defense, and waste time by faking injuries and taking too long on throw ins. 

Perhaps the worst sight of the night for Real Salt Lake fans was to see the players of their team dejected and stunned just after the game. Several players sat on the field in disbelief that they had lost.

They did show a touch of class, however, when they stayed out on the field during the medal presentation to show proper sportsmanship for their opponents.

For soccer fans in Utah and in all of the United States, this was a tough loss to take, and one that is best forgotten.

Notes: With the loss, Real Salt Lake also saw their 37 match home winning streak snapped. They had not lost at home in nearly 2 years. Credit should be given to Monterrey, who was the best team that Real Salt Lake had played in that stretch.

With the win, Monterrey now will compete in the FIFA Club World Cup that will be held in December. They will represent the CONCACAF region.

Real Salt Lake must shake off the disappointment of this loss quickly, as they travel to Portland for a Saturday match with the expansion Timbers. Due to the playing time for the starters in this one, look for coach Kreis to juggle his lineup and use some of his reserve players.

Real Salt Lake continues to make soccer history by becoming the first team from the United States to be ranked in the top 25 of the World Club Soccer rankings.

In the recent rankings that were put out before their strong showing in the fist leg of the CONCACAF final in Mexico on Wednesday night, Real Salt Lake checks in at No. 22.

According to the ranking site, a perfect start to the Major League Soccer season, and a strong showing in the CONCACAF tournament propelled them to this prestigious ranking.

The top ten of this list includes many teams that are expected to be on this list including:

1. Manchester United
2. Barcelona
3. Real Madrid
4. AC Milan
5. Borussia Dortmund
6. Arsenal
7. Porto
8. Chelsea
9. Lille
10. Napoli

Teams that fall behind Real Salt Lake in the rankings in no particular order include:

Shalke 04
Lyon
Tottenham Hotspur
Celtic
All of MLS

Following the first leg of the CONCACAF finals, one would think that this ranking will only go up. If Real Salt Lake were to win the title against Monterrey, it will be interesting to see how high they can rise.

To view the rankings please click on this link: World Club Soccer Rankings

I know.

I watched the match. I saw the final score.

I realize that it wasn't actually a victory, but there is a saying in soccer that a draw on the road is as good as a win.

In most competition, the result of a draw is a win-win situation for both teams. You both get a point and you move on.

On a hot Wednesday night in Monterrey, Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake got a whole lot more than a point for the draw that they played to against one of the toughest teams in Mexico.

They gained the advantage in a two leg series and are headed home for the final.

Representing Major League Soccer for the first time in the history of the CONCACAF Champions League finals, Real Salt Lake played well enough to earn a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the tournament that determines the North American Champion and who wins the right to play in the FIFA Club World Cup later this year.

Wearing their alternate yellow jerseys for only the second time in the history of the franchise, the club from Utah started out strong by keeping possession and limiting chances for the Mexican side that was supposed to dominate this match at home.

Despite the possession that Real Salt Lake was able to keep, Monterrey, known as the "Rayados," was able to strike first.

In the 18' minute, Monterrey forward Aldo De Nigris, scored a goal on a play that was a disaster for Real Salt Lake in front of the goal. Following a missed attempt to clear the ball, it bounced all over the place, Nick Rimando dove and missed it and De Nigris put it in the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead. 

That lead did not hold for long.

On a goal that was not scored by him, Real Salt Lake forward Fabian Espindola gets a lot of credit for creating the opportunity. On what looked to be a routine ball headed to  Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco, Espindola ran at a full sprint from well outside the box and met the keeper at the ball.

The result of the collision was Espindola winning a corner kick when the ball was last touched by Orozco as it sailed past the endline.

In the 35' minute, the corner kick came in and was cleared out by Monterrey. Unfortunately for them, it was cleared to Will Johnson, who sent a perfect ball into Real Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers who was still up in the box for the corner kick. He was able to put his head on the ball and bury it wide of the keeper to tie the score.

Monterrey, not happy with the score tied at one, came out aggressively after halftime and maintained possession for most of the half.

They had multiple opportunities, including a one on one between Chilean striker Humberto Suazo and Real Salt Lake keeper Nick Rimando that sailed just wide and over the goal.

The Rayados were able to take a lead in 63' minute on a penalty kick that was a result of a hand ball in the box by Jamison Olave. Humberto Suazo was able to punch the kick into the corner of the net to gain the lead that many thought would hold up to be the final score.

Real Salt Lake, a team known for not giving up, and has a history of scoring dramatic goals late in games, was able to add one more.

In the 89' minute, a long ball was sent over the top to forward Arturo Alvarez, who had just entered the game. In his first series of touches, he settled the ball and sent an amazing pass from the sideline to his teammate Javier Morales at the top corner of the box.

The rest was all Morales.

Taking the pass, he put on a series of moves that left two defenders trailing the play. As he entered the box, and moved around the defender, he fired a strike to the far post that had just enough of an angle on it to beat the goalkeeper and even the score at two goals each.

After a few tense minutes of stoppage time, Real Salt Lake came away with a draw.

Following the match, Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis talked about the result. "I think it's the best draw of my life" he said, "no doubt about it. I'm really, really proud of what the guys put into that, and I know it wasn't easy at all. It was difficult circumstances for us,"

Real Salt Lake now comes home at the halfway point of the two leg series tied in total goals, but with the very important two goals scored on the road.

Due to the aggregate scoring used in this tournament, the team who scores the most total goals in both legs of the series will be crowned the champion. The number of goals scored on the road is what is used as the first tie breaker.

In the second leg that will be played next Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, Real Salt Lake will be looking for a win in a stadium where they rarely lose.

With the two goals scored tonight it gives them a little bit of breathing room.

If they are able to win the match, or play to a draw of one goal or less for each team, they will advance. If they play to a draw and both teams score two or more goals, they will then play an overtime period followed by penalty kicks if necessary.

All of these confusing scenarios will not matter if Real Salt Lake can take care of business and get a win at home. One of the heroes of the night, Nat Borchers knows that just because they are coming home, the game will not be easy.

He stated that he was "Really happy with the way we responded both times after going a goal down. Now we have our work cut out for us at home,"

"I would think they're going to come to us with a extremely aggressive mentality knowing they have to win," added Kreis.

Each time that Real Salt Lake plays in this tournament, the game is the biggest in their history. Next Wednesday night will be no different. If Real Salt Lake is victorious, they will complete an already historic run for any Major League Soccer or any other team from the United States.

Soccer in this country will reach new heights, and the respect for American Soccer will skyrocket.

Notes: Lost in the excitement of the result for Real Salt Lake is a bit of bad news.

Captain Kyle Beckerman will have to watch the next match from the sidelines. He entered this match with a yellow card and earned another tonight on a questionable call. In this tournament, after accumulating two yellow cards, a player must sit for the next match.

Fortunately, depth is not a problem for Real Salt Lake, who have very talented players that can fill in at each position.