SALT LAKE CITY - Between the number of yellow Club America jerseys in the stands and the volume of cheers after Cuauhtemoc Blanco's memorable goal, it was hard to tell which was the home team in Saturday's match at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
To be sure, Chicago's Blanco put on a good show for his many fans in Utah. Not only did he score the game-winner, but he also assisted the goal scored by Paulo Wanchope that buried Real Salt Lake by snuffing out any hope for the home team in the 78th minute as the Fire took a huge 2-0 victory Saturday night.
Blanco certainly appreciates the support he gets, no matter what stadium he is playing in.
"I'm happy because a big part of the United States is Mexican, and I'm really happy because they give me a lot of support," Blanco said through a translator.
His teammates also feed off the extra attention.
"Guys feel a little better on the road where it's sometimes tough," Chris Armas said. "For him, it's good to have the support. In Chicago, it's great support and everywhere we go, it's great support from the Mexican community."
Chicago now is undefeated with Blanco in the lineup, with two wins and a draw since he's joined the team. His presence has made a big difference for a team that desperately needs points to get into the playoffs. The Fire have not lost a league game since July 12.
"We are happy because we got three points," Blanco said. "We really wanted to get those three points, and it was important we come in here and do our job."
Blanco is not about to take much credit for Chicago's recent success.
"I have good teammates, and we are a good group," Blanco said. "It was everyone that did a good job, it was a real team effort, and that's why we got the result we did."
Chicago coach Juan Carlos Osorio has seen Blanco's team-first attitude.
"He has fit in very well," Osorio said. "He treats himself like one of the players, like any other player here. He's just another guy, and just down to earth and very humble. There's a language barrier, but he makes himself understood."
Blanco and fellow striker Wanchope each scored their first goals in Major League Soccer play against Real. In the 43rd minute, Blanco had plenty of time and space to tee up his shot and place it from 20 yards out to just inside the far upper-left corner of the goal and against the side netting.
Then, in the 78th minute, Blanco sent in a corner kick that found Wanchope in perfect position for a header that made the score 2-0.
Osorio had the perfect game plan laid out.
"Knowing that Salt Lake played a diamond figure in the middle, the idea was to have Cuauhtemoc play behind the anchor man, just receiving balls and playing through balls, and getting us going in the offense third," Osorio said. "I am very pleased with Cuauhtemoc; it was a very beautiful goal. But he would tell you he's just one of the players, that he's not a superstar."
Peter Richins is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
