Only using this thread and not one of the game threads because I don't want to be accused of jinxing anything, of course. But according to MLSSoccer (no confirmation on CONCACAF's own page, yet), the schedule for the CCL Finals is set. IF Real Salt Lake makes it past Saprissa, and were to play Monterrey in the finals, the series would go like this (all times Mountain): Leg 1, Wednesday, April 20: Monterrey vs. Real Salt Lake, 8:00 p.m., Estadio Tecnologico Leg 2, Wednesday, April 27: Real Salt Lake vs. Monterrey, 8:00 p.m., Rio Tinto Stadium or, IF RSL makes the final and you guys play your buddies from the group stage, then the schedule changes a bit for the first leg. Leg 1, Wednesday, April 20: Cruz Azul vs. Real Salt Lake, 6:00 p.m., Estadio Azul Leg 2, Wednesday, April 27: Real Salt Lake vs. Cruz Azul, 8:00 p.m., Rio Tinto Stadium
we'd get the second leg of the final, just to be clear. For whatever reason (I guess its sorta obvious) CCL doesnt have a neutral site one game final. The shitty part about hosting the second leg: getting scored on hurts that much more. The great part: everything else
I received the dates of the 20th and 27th in an official communication from Concacaf to the team. I would trust those dates much more than their website which has been wrong all along the way until within a couple of days before the match. However, none of that matters if we don't take care of business in San Jose.
Eh, bad news for you guys... According to Saprissa's own website, the Estadio Saprissa passed CONCACAF's inspection, so the Deportivo Saprissa-Real Salt Lake CCL game will take place there. Of course, I'm sure that when Sabo gets back from Costa Rica, he'll fill the rest of the team in on this... [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdTHvvebZTk"]YouTube - La Ultra Morada cuando ingresa el campeón[/ame] ...especially having their locker room right beneath that section at the beginning of the video.
No! the bad news is that your club comes home to a 2 goal deficit against a team that is firing on all cylinders, Add to that your clubs failure to get the all important away goal and I really like my clubs chances. My only fear from your attached video is your stadium collapsing.
Basically. Saprissa 2-0 overtime. 3-0 Saprissa gets the win. RSL scores 1 goal, no over time, Saprissa would have to win 4-1. With that one goal, 3-1 Saprissa, RSL would go through.
Hm? It wasn't smack talk - more of the "hope Andy brings his umbrella for taking corner kicks" variety.
This match is huge. I can't wait. Can't remember last time I was so excited for an RSL match. 90 minutes away from the elation of knowing we will host the Championship, or heartbreak city. Bring on the Monster's Cave. Wouldn't have it any other way. I just have one request from the team. Go out with courage. I hope the banging from the stands above the locker room inspires. I hope Sabo runs onto the field with RSL pride, ready to show his former club and country that club futbol has arrived hardcore in the states and is here to stay. I hope we attack from the get-go, similar to Cruz Azul - No Fear. We all know the importance of 1 away goal. If we play aggressive, play to win, and it back-fires, I'm OK with that. We lose to an awesome Saprissa squad and we had a great run in the tourney. And we come back home with pride, knowing we played our game. The worse thing would be to pull back on our heels, play without courage, and let them completely monopolize the run of play. Playing games in this kind of environment - on the road - is where courage is refined and champions are made. VAMOS RSL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I second this request. I'm sure JK will be all over these guys. As Nicky stated in his comments after the LA game "we don't know how to play any other way. we attack" do that Jason. A 4-5 thriller would be a whole lot easier to swallow this time around Sure, the stadium is intimidating. An away goal would shut those purple freaks up rather quick. Bomma on turf is something these guys are going to wish they hadn't come into conflict with.
bad example. everyone wants to hurt pablow... just look at that douche bag. He and Casey make me wanna hit something, hard.
I think a better Saprissa/Sabo comparison would be Kyle and the cRapids. The all-time winningest player in Rocky Mtn Cup history is still near and dear to cRapid faithful, even though he is their hated rival's capt'n.
Since the threads for the two legs of the Final will probably wait until after the weekend league games, I just wanted to say here: It is a damn honor to be able to play for a regional trophy in your own house, and Real Salt Lake has earned it every step of the way. Congratulations once again, and take a moment to think of everything that happened along the way here: - The 3-0 hammering of the Rapids on the last day of the 2009 season to sneak into the playoffs - Back-to-back playoff wins over the Supporter's Shield-winning Columbus Crew - A penalty shootout in Chicago that could have gone either way, esp. Grabavoy's clincher hitting the goalie's gloves and going in anyways - RSL refusing to back down in front of the MLS/media darling Galaxy, getting the equalizer and holding their nerve in the shootout to win the MLS Cup - Putting up with unthinkable levels of bull&%*! from Arabe Unido and still winning both games - Taking care of business against Toronto, especially with Javi's free kick to guarantee qualification - Narrowly letting victory escape in the Estadio Azul, only to turn around and let a B+ team take out the Mexicans in Rio Tinto to guarantee 1st place - Putting on a "preseason" masterclass against Columbus at home to move to uncharted territory for MLS teams in the CCL: the semifinals - Stealing the limelight from the MLS season opener with a 2-0 manhandling of regional power Saprissa - Staring down the Monster's Cave, not losing the team structure, and punishing Saprissa with an away-goal to ice the series Fact is, not a single MLS team has ever faced what you guys went through to make this CCL Final. Take pride in that.
Congratulations RSL. Epic and historic victory. I consider making the finals of CCL the greatest achievement in the history of US Club soccer. Good luck in the finals.