CCL: RSL vs Saprissa

Here we go, biggest match in Rio Tinto Stadium history.Tomorrow night, Tuesday March 15th at 8pm, Real Salt Lake will host Saprissa from Costa Rica in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semi-final. Its a big deal. If RSL is to advance to the final against either Monterrey or, in what would be a juicy rematch, Cruz Azul they have to get through the purple dragon/monsters first. Here are my keys to the match, projected starting lineup for RSL (I did Saprissa's yesterday), key players to watch for both teams, and my projected final score for this first leg.

Keys to the Match for RSL:

- Defend as a group. Saprissa has multiple talented players on the ball, especially in the middle of the park. If RSL gets stretched or a bit lazy, Saprissa will make them pay. RSL has to stay sound defensively and, as Kreis preaches, defend as a unit just as much as they attack as a unit. Olave Beckerman, and Borchers have to have good games in this leg if RSL is going to succeed.

- Utilize set pieces. Saprissa, from what I have seen of them in this tournament and in general, is not a tremendous team in the air, especially defensively. RSL will have to be lethal on any and all set piece opportunities. Corners, free kicks, etc. RSL has to show not only creativity but its strength and size. I honestly think a goal or two in this first leg will come off a set piece for RSL.

- Keep a clean sheet. This emphasizes the first bullet a bit more. The away-goals rule applies i this series, so keeping a clean sheet on your home field is just as important, in my opinion, as getting a multiple goal lead. I would take a 2-0 win over a 3-1 win.

Keys to the match for Saprissa:

- Expose the wings (or lack thereof) on RSL. This is an area that will, along with the set pieces, be what decides the series. If Saprissa is allowed to get wide and go down the flanks, they will give RSL nightmares. Both of the outside backs for Saprissa are very talented players that love to get forward.

- Get a goal. Like the clean sheet for RSL, a goal on the road would be huge for Saprissa. Even if they lose, like I said, a goal on the road is incredibly valuable.

- Disrupt the midfield of RSL. Teams are most successful against RSL when they clog up the middle of the pitch and force RSL to try and play longer balls through the air. RSL isn't built to play the kick and run style, they are built to control the game on the floor. Saprissa can open things up a bit and clog the middle. If they want to be successful, they will have to do this.

Projected Starting XI for RSL:

- GK: Nick Rimando - has to have a solid night

- LB: Chris Wingert - minor ankle sprain wont hold Chris back

- CB: Jamison Olave - must be sound in defense and not let the Saprissa players get to him with their diving

- CB: Nat Borchers - he has to be the Nat we know and love, nuff said

- RB: Robbie Russell - needs to get forward and get service into Sabo

- LM: Will Johnson - will have his work cut out tracking the outside back for Saprissa (Blanco)

- CDM: Kyle Beckerman - the midfield cohesion starts with Kyle, this is a huge aspect

- CAM: Javier Morales - needs to have a career night

- RM: Andy Williams - needs to show that vision and work ethic he did against CBus

- FW: Fabian Espindola - must keep his cool and go at players 1v1

- FW: Alvaro Saborio - only player with experience in this grand of club stage, must lead team

Bench:

GK: Kyle Reynish

DF: Tony Beltran

DF: Chris Schuler

MF: Ned Grabavoy

MF: Jean Alexandre
FW: Paulo Junior
FW: Arturo Alvarez

Key Player for Saprissa: Walter Centeno

All my research points to this guy being the heart and soul of Saprissa. He essentially plays the Morale's type role of creator for the squad. He is a member of the Costa Rica national team and, though getting older, still has some incredible vision and passing abilities. Kyle will have his hands full with this guy for sure. If we can keep Centeno in check, we should be able to eliminate their offensive abilities.

Key Player for RSL: Alvaro Saborio

Sabo is the only player on the squad to go this deep in a champions league format. Robbie Russell played in the European version, sure, but he wasn't ever in the knockout phases, or at least not a semi-final. Sabo also, as we all know, is from Costa Rica and played for quite awhile with Saprissa. He needs to be the go to guy and a leader out there. His typically cool composure must show and he must be willing to put in loads of dirty work. For some reason, I think Sabo is going to have a monster night against his former squad.




Game Projection: RSL 2 - Saprissa 0
- Sabo with a brace: 33' and 65'

It may be more hopeful thinking than anything, but I think RSL will be able to get 2 goals and keep a clean sheet against Saprissa. I'm not 100% sure or comfortable with the idea that 2 goals will be enough to get us through to the next round, but I think it will be a good cushion nonetheless.


Regardless of the outcome, this is going to be a memorable night. You don't host a semi-final in your regions champions league (the grandest club tournament their is) all that often. Hopefully the fans that brave the weather (which looks to be actually pretty nice) will be loud and vocal. I would love to be singing "OLE, OLE OLE OLE, REAL SALT LAKE" the whole night through with 15K other crazy RSL fans.

Cheers,
15 to 32
FORZA REAL