Real Salt Lake 0 at Tigres UANL 2
February 24, 2016; Monterrey, Mexico; Estadio Universitario
2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals
Man of the Match: You had to know “The Wall of the Wasatch” would come up big and Nick Rimando’s first half save of a PK by Andre-Pierre Gignac – which proved to be his only shot on goal for the match – kept Tigres from really running away with this one. The first half was a laborious one for RSL, but like a willow it withstood the pressure without breaking. A late penalty nearly undid those efforts, but Rimando came up big to make one of his two saves on the match. By going into the break scoreless, RSL kept hope alive and now the Claret-and-Cobalt have faith that a two-goal deficit is not insurmountable.
Telling Stat: RSL put five shots on goal, but couldn’t get one past Nahuel Guzman. That meant three MLS sides were shut out in the first leg of the CCL Quarterfinals, as D.C. United went scoreless in a 2-0 defeat to Queretaro and the LA Galaxy played to a 0-0 draw with Santos Laguna. Only Clint Dempsey was able to score two for the Sounders at home in a 2-2 draw Club America to keep the U.S.-based squads from being completely shut out.
What You Missed: Sunny made his RSL debut and was a solid presence in the middle of the midfield. All told, it was a big step forward for RSL in the formation as it produced 12 shots on offense and limited the danger of Gignac, far and away Tigres’ leading scorer.
So What: RSL has a steep mountain to climb in the second leg, but playing at home should be helpful. RSL is 8-1-1 all-time in home CCL matches, so that bodes well. As does Tigres losing Jorge Torres Nilo and Rafael Sobis to yellow-card accumulation for the second leg of the series. Taking advantage of those opportunities will be another story. It’s a two-goal deficit, but if RSL allows just one goal, the Claret-and-Cobalt will need to score four to advance. March 2 is going to be a monster of a match at Rio Tinto Stadium.
