CCL Match Preview: Real Salt Lake vs. Monterrey

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — After pulling out a 2-2 draw last week in Mexico, Real Salt Lake welcome Monterrey for the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final on Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.

RSL, winners of the 2009 MLS Cup, enter the second leg with a distinct advantage, having scored two goals on the road. A win or a 1-1 or 0-0 draw will book RSL’s berth in the 2011 Club World Cup, scheduled to take place in Japan in December. 

REFEREE: Roberto Moreno (Panama) 

AWAY GOALS RULE
Unlike in the MLS playoffs, the away-goals rule is in effect in the CCL. That means that goals scored on the road are the first tiebreaker in the event that the aggregate score is level after both legs.

A LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST LEG

On a hot night in northern Mexico, RSL earned a stunning 2-2 draw with Monterrey, thanks to an 89th-minute equalizer from Javier Moralez. It was the first point conceded by Los Rayados at home in this edition of the CCL.

The home side jumped out to an early lead when striker Aldo de Nigris knocked home a loose ball in the box in the 18th minute. Three minutes later, Monterrey coach Victor Manuel Vucetich subbed out de Nigris and captain Luis Perez, a strange move so early in the game. After the match, Vucetich revealed that both players had picked up injuries.

In the 35th minute, RSL’s Nat Borchers headed in an equalizer.

But after a quarter hour of sustained pressure to start the second half, Monterrey climbed into the lead again. RSL defender Jamison Olave was whistled for a handball in the area, and Chilean striker Humberto “Chupete” Suazo converted from the spot.

Both sides seemed resigned to a 2-1 finish until RSL sub Arturo Alvarez controlled a long ball on the right side. His flicked pass into the middle released Morales with some space. The Argentine danced around one defender then fired a low shot past goalkeeper Jonathon Orozco to level the score once more.

TEAM NEWS 

REAL SALT LAKE
The biggest decision facing head coach Jason Kreis is how to adjust to the absence of captain Kyle Beckerman. The dreadlocked midfielder picked up a yellow card in Monterrey and is suspended for the second leg.

Although Kreis’s decision won’t be known until just before kickoff, most observers believe Ned Grabavoy, who started at right midfielder in the first leg, will replace Beckerman in the middle. Andy Williams would then start on the right side of midfield. 

“Whatever position I find myself in, I need to defend well for the team and keep the ball and help link things up,” Grabavoy told MLSsoccer.com. “Either way, I’m ready to go and I’m excited. Winning is kind of an addicting feeling. I don’t care how many championships you play in, each one is more important than the one before. You want to grab as many as you can.” 

For RSL, one stat stands above all: They have gone 37 games straight unbeaten in all competitions at Rio Tinto. With a soldout crowd expected for the match, the homefield advantage—including altitude and chilly tempuratures—weighs heavily in Real's favor.  

MONTERREY
Manager Vucetich also has several issues to deal with. De Nigris and Perez remain injured—even if he were healthy, de Nigris would be ruled out by suspension—meaning Vucetich must replace one of his top strikers and his midfield general. 

Sergio Santana, a veteran who start at right midfield in the first leg, will more than likely move up to take de Nigris’ position in the frontline. Osvaldo Martinez would then take Santana’s place on the right side of midfield. Replacing Perez is more difficult, because Jesus Zavala, who came on for Perez last week, is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. This likely leaves the job to Héctor Morales, a 26-year-old defender with only 25 league appearances under his belt. 

Monterrey, who won the 2010 Apertura tournament, are also dealing with fatigue and the pressure of possibly missing the playoffs in the current season in Mexico. Wednesday’s match marks their fourth game in 12 days, including a 1-1 draw at home to Puebla in domestic action this past weekend. They are currently out of the playoff picture in Mexico, and most likely must win away to Chivas de Guadalajara this Saturday to make the postseason.

RECENT FORM 

RSL: Real have not played since the first leg. They moved their regularly scheduled MLS match with the Philadelphia Union, after both clubs came to an agreement to help RSL’s CCL chances. 

Monterrey: Los Rayados have gone seven matches in all competitions without a win, and are coming down to the wire to secure their place in the Mexican playoffs. Last weekend, they faltered at home to Puebla, 1-1, and they now need a good result on Saturday against Chivas.

KEY PLAYERS 

RSL

Nat Borchers: The 30-year-old centerback will have the captain’s armband in Beckerman’s absence. His experience, communication, and vision provide the foundation for the RSL backline, and allow the outside back to move forward into the attack.

Nick Rimando: If the series comes down to penalty kicks, the veteran goalkeeper becomes the center of attention. Rimando is the best in MLS history, saving nearly 40% of the shots on goal he has faced in penalty shootouts. 

Arturo Alvarez: The supersub in the first leg, he may be called upon again to bring about a change for the home side. The Salvadoran international played a crucial role in setting up the equalizer in leg one, but his ability to hold the ball up will be more important than his passing creativity. 

Monterrey

Humberto Suazo: The 29-year-old Chilean international striker was a threat all night long in the first leg. He scored the penalty kick for the second goal and had two other good chances miss by inches. Quick and able to make opportunities for himself, “Chupete”—the Lollipop—has played more than 250 minutes in the past week and a half.

Ricardo Osorio: The 31-year-old Mexican international had a quiet night in Monterrey, rarely pushing forward but doing well to contain RSL’s Álvaro Saborío.

Sergio Santana: The 31-year-old midfielder has been here before: He won the 2002 CONCACAF title with Pachuca. Skillful and mobile, he has the ability to create space for Suazo in the attack or go to goal himself.

2010-11 CCL RECORD

RSL

Monterrey

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Monterrey: Los Rayados snuck into the final thanks to a late penalty kick goal from Humberto Suazo in the second leg of their semifinal series with Cruz Azul. The match finished 1-1, and Monterrey advanced to the final, 3-2, on aggregate.

In the quarterfinals, Monterrey vanquished another Mexican side, Toluca, winning both legs 1-0 for a 2-0 aggregate victory.

The group stage was equally successful for los Rayados. Playing in Group C, the Mexican Clausura champions did not lose in six matches, earning a 5-0-1 record and conceding only four goals, tied with the Columbus Crew for the fewest of any team in the group stage. Two of their group stage wins came against the Seattle Sounders.

Real Salt Lake: RSL earned an exciting 3-2 aggregate win over Saprissa (Costa Rica) in the semifinals. After prevailing in the home leg, 2-0, through goals from Álvaro Saborío and Fabian Espindola, RSL traveled to San José, where they lost the match 2-1, but hung on for the aggregate victory.

To reach the semis, RSL advanced past the Columbus Crew, 4-1, on aggregate, in the quarterfinals.

RSL reached the knockout stage after finishing top of Group A, ahead of Mexican side Cruz Azul. They posted a 4-1-1 record in group play, with the only loss coming away to Cruz Azul in a now-legendary 5-4 game played in a torrential downpour.