Not many gave Real Salt Lake a chance to win over Tigres UANL in the Quarterfinal Round of CONCACAF Champions League. The champions from Mexico and runners up in the Copa Libertadores, after all, were facing a team with its first down year since 2007. And while those same people may be crowing of their prognostications after a 3-1 finish in the two-legged, aggregate-goal series, they couldn’t honestly make those boasts without acknowledging that Real Salt Lake was every bit the equal to Tigres – and although the result didn’t bare it out, did some to put to rest the notion that Liga MX is still drastically ahead of MLS.
“We played very good both games. We deserved more, but soccer is like this. Sometimes you have to be a little bit lucky,” RSL forward Juan Manuel Martinez said. “I’m proud about this team and how we played both games.”
Real Salt Lake put pressure to Tigres throughout the course of the 180 minutes in Monterrey and Sandy. RSL was able to muster 12 shots in both legs of the series while Tigres was limited to just four shots in the second leg on Wednesday. Up until a last-minute goal by Andre-Pierre Gignac, the Claret-and-Cobalt threatened to take the momentum in the match.
Failing to find that series equalizer and instead allowing Tigres to extend the lead was a frustrating conclusion to an otherwise great series for RSL.
“Disappointed with exiting the tournament. It’s something that we really wanted to push on and make it back to the finals, but really pleased with the effort that our players put forth,” RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar said. “There was a lot of energy that went into preparing for Tigres because they’re a fantastic team. But, we’ve got to move on. We’ve got a really important game Sunday against Orlando, and that’s where our focus is going to be now.”
Although the result isn’t what RSL sought, the play in the series left the team encouraged for what’s to come in the MLS season, opening on Sunday at the Citrus Bowl against Orlando City SC.
“I’m excited about this year,” goalkeeper Nick Rimando said. “A lot of pride went into tonight’s game and effort. If we play like this I think the season is going to be bright for us.”
Martinez took that statement a step further.
“If we play like this every game,” he said, “we’ll be able to win the league.”
