CF http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Monterrey-c39943 vs. Real Salt Lake (CONCACAF Champions League preview — April 20)
It’s the moment of truth for Major League Soccer franchise, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Real-Salt-Lake-c40339, as the team plays its first ever CONCACAF Champions League Final against CF Monterrey on April 20 at Estadio Technologico. It will be a historical day for RSL as they become the
first ever MLS team to feature in a CCL final. Should the team manage to run through Monterrey with a win, the Claret and Cobalt would become the first American team to participate in a FIFA Club World Cup.
Monterrey have been successful on all fronts. Three-time Primera Division de http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Manuel-c23383 Vucetich’s hiring as the head tactician. The team also has the honour of winning the CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup in
1993. This makes it obvious the team has experience on their side when compared to the 6-year-old club (RSL).
For the Real, journey to this stage has not been an easy one. Inducted in the American premier league in 2005, RSL has seen major changes both in the team and the management side. At the moment, the club has excellent squad depth and better still, the team
is being coached by a manager with a winning mentality. Jason Kries, having joined in managerial capacity after retiring as a player with the same club, guided the team to 2009 MLS Cup final triumph. After decorating the trophy cabinet with the 2009 league
title, Kries now eyes continental glory.
CF Monterrey
The Mexican team has not lost a single match since the start of 2010/11 CCL season. To top it off, Monterrey have drawn only twice in the continental champions league, with the semi-final second-leg draw against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cruz-Azul-c38869 on April 6 being one of them.
The team has conceded only six goals in 2010/11 season so far. Much of the credit goes to Jonathan Orozco, who has routinely opened goal keeping clinics in front of the net. The shot-stopper remains a key player for the Mexican side.
On attacking front, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Santana-c33104 will also feature in the run of play.
Luis Alfonso Rodríguez, Neri Cardozo and Walter Ayoví will man the midfield while Sergio Pérez, Hiram Mier and Héctor Morales will be in the defensive line-up.
Real Salt Lake
In just a few years, Kreis has taken his team to new level altogether, especially after the 2009 MLS Cup win. Taking the team to CCL front for the first time and making it to the finals straight away is as big an achievement it could get for the coach.
Javier Morales has played a key role in taking the team to the finals. The midfielder sits atop the team’s goal-scorers list with Will Johnson. Both the players have scored three goals apiece in the league and will try to find the net at Technologico.
Andy Williams would be another player to look out for. His impeccable distribution means the player is leading the assists tally in the league. Having conceded 14 goals in the league so far, the team might lag behind Monterrey in terms of statistics, but
the teams ability to overcome the damage – all thanks to Kries – would certainly be a feature to look out for.
Following are the expected line-ups for both Vucetich and Kreis, respectively.
CF Monterrey
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Darío-Carreño-c10275
Real Salt Lake
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Araujo-c6435 Jr.
Prediction
Although the Mexican outfit has the experience on its side and has also played in the Champions League at this stage before, the Americans will take to the field with a tactical edge. The predicted score is 2—2.
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