Real Salt Lake 1 vs Municipal 0
October 20, 2015; Rio Tinto Stadium
CONCACAF Champions League Group G
Real Salt Lake (3-0-1, 10 points); Municipal (1-2-1, 4 points)
Man of the Match: Jamison Olave scored the game-winning goal to send Real Salt Lake through to the Champions League Quarterfinals after previously sending RSL through to the Final in 2011. His first-half header off a Javier Morales corner kick was the game’s biggest highlight and Olave’s first goal since the home-opener against the Philadelphia Union back on March 14. But he also keyed a strong defensive effort that limited Municipal to just two shots on goal while being coaxed offside on seven different occasions.
Telling Stat: Nick Rimando’s Champions League shutout streak continues to impress and is now at a remarkable 526 consecutive minutes. It was his fifth consecutive shutout in the international competition, bringing him to a 1.00 goals against average in 18 CCL matches with RSL.
What You Missed: After the match, Real Salt Lake’s final home match of 2015, several players paraded around the field and greeted fans around Rio Tinto Stadium, showing appreciation for the support throughout the year.
So What: RSL is now qualified for the Champions League quarterfinals, which will start in February. Currently, Salt Lake is ranked third of the eight teams to advance through the Group Stage with two matches of consequence on Wednesday night. Conceivably, RSL could finish anywhere from third to fifth and will most likely face a club from Mexico in the Quarterfinal Round.
