CCL Final prematch/match/postmatch thread (for those interested)

[Oldtimer]

RSL v Monterrey
2nd leg, CCL final
Rio Tinto Stadium
10 PM (right after the TFC match)

TV: GOL TV
Online: https://secure-concacaftv.premiumtv....,12907,00.html (free, registration required).

background:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/can...?docId=6673671

Current standing 2-2.

RSL needs a 0-0 draw, a 1-1 draw, or a win to advance, given their 2 away goals (which does apply in the CCL) to the Club World Cup.
A 2-2 draw will result in PKs.

RSL is undefeated at home for the last 37 games in all competitions (since May, 2009). They are playing at altitude, which is an advantage, although Monterrey plays at altitude, it's not quite as high. The temperature (forecast 40's F) will also be an advantage.

If they make it through, they will play in the CWC quarter-finals:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_FIFA_Club_World_Cup

So even if they play in the CWC, they will still have to place in the top half to play the UEFA and the South American clubs (something that Pachuca failed to do last year).

Monterrey, by all accounts is a formidable opposition, and could still win this thing. I'm a neutral, but still can't help rooting for the underdog RSL, especially as they are representing MLS. The first leg was an exciting match, this should be no less so.

If once bottom-feeder RSL can pull this off, maybe TFC can do so some day.

[MG42]

Article from SBI

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_b...the-flag-.html

"One of the important themes here is that even if we are fortunate enough to win this thing, if you want to permanently alter the landscape you have to have consistent MLS success in this tournament. The league has created a number of incentives to make that possible: lightening the schedule, providing allocation money for the teams in the tournament. Those are things that help and show everybody that this is for the benefit of the league."

[Oldtimer]

Morales on the match:

Real Salt Lake has been quick to embrace the gospel according to Kreis, who became the club’s coach midway through the 2007 season and led the team to the league title in 2009. The club has been assiduous, if also a bit lucky, in its acquisitions, buying South and Central Americans to play at skill positions. They include the Argentines Fabian Espindola and Morales, Paulo Jr. of Brazil, Jamison Olave of Colombia and Alvaro Saborio of Costa Rica.
“This is an important match, the most important of my life,” Morales said through a translator on the conference call. “I can’t wait for the match to start.”

on the conditions:

The conditions, too, will be the opposite of what R.S.L.’s players encountered last week in Mexico, where Lagerwey said the game-time temperature was 95 degrees. In Utah, the weather forecast is calling for snow on Tuesday and temperatures in the 40s on Wednesday. In addition, Monterrey’s players will have to deal with playing at 4,226 feet above sea level.

http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/0...er=rss&emc=rss

[RedsYNWA]

Should be a cracker

go RSL

[trane]

I hope to see alot of injuries for the RSL side.

[Chubbs]

Looking forward to watching this tonight, would love to see an MLS side get a berth in the World Club Cup.

[UltraSuperMegaMo]

I'm looking forward to this, don't like the stadium sound feed on GOL though, I'll probably turn the sound and crank the CCL tv feed.

[LittleOzzy]

For anyone who needs a stream. http://www.soccertvlive.net/watch/62...monterrey.html

[ManUtd4ever]

Good on RSL supporters for showing up in full force tonight.

[gmacpheetfc]

RSL play in the MLS?

[ManUtd4ever]

Beckerman's absence in RSL's midfield is noticeable tonight.

[lobo]

love the pace of this game, and its a rough one too as expected

[rocker]

1-0 Monterrey.. uh oh

[yanggoh]

fuck. suazo.

[TorCanSoc]

Last kick of the half. Phknell. But you know what. RSL kind of thrive in this kind of situation. I hope its a goal late in the second. RSL has to stay calm, play the strong game they are capable of. Saborio has been silent, needs to be fed some opportunities.

[greatwhitenorf]

Winner will be whichever team's fans bought the most away seats from Jack Warner's travel agency.

[king dave]

Great first half. Very good football from both sides.
RSL looks very much like a squad @ this level of footy.
Now just fucking equalize Utah fucks!
KD

[TFC1154ever]

Why does this game look 8 times better then the tfc game today?

[Corpand]

Incredible pace, the RSL players are running on full adrenaline and the packed house is only helping. Come on, get that equalizer!

[rocker]

that's it. RSL is out.

Lesson learned: don't count your chickens before they are hatched. Everyone was saying it would be easy for RSL... altitude, weather... undefeated at home in 30+ games..... just get a 0-0 tie and they are through. Look what happened.

What a difficult, grueling competition. I wonder if RSL will have a hangover now.

[dclaro]

RSL so unlucky, so many chances at the end but couldnt finish it. Impressive showing for an MLS side.

[NBS]

Great match. Give Monterrey credit, they stayed composed throughout. Awesome showing by RSL. The day will come for MLS, but not today.

[king dave]

What a game!
Fucking brilliant.
KD.

[Couchy81]

Why does this game look 8 times better then the tfc game today?

Because it's the championship game of CONCACAF to go to FIFA Club World Cup vs. the first away game for TFC playing their bench players against an NASL team who's never competed in the Canadian Championship before.

[Alixir]

I think I am probably the only person on this site that was cheering for Monterrey to win.

[LesH]

Only one thing I have to say:
RSL looks being from another planet compared to TFC (and I'm not comparing just tonight's 2 games).

[TorCanSoc]

Man hate those delay tactics. Monterrey played well. But those delay of game stuff, is just unsightly, unsportsmanlike, and just plain irritating.

[flamehawk]

I think I am probably the only person on this site that was cheering for Monterrey to win.

I usually cheer for any team playing against an American team, especially from the South ... but admittedly, found it hard not to support RSL here today. They've gone far, and did MLS proud, they deserve credit.

What a great game.

[ManUtd4ever]

Tough break for RSL. Monterrey's keeper was huge in the dying minutes to preserve the win.

Great atmosphere at Rio Tinto tonight.

[Auzzy]

Wow, Espindola missed at least three super-easy chances. That's odd, he's usually pretty clinical.