Heaven Can Wait – CONCACAF Glory Missed Again
Real Salt Lake was eliminated from CONCACAF Champion’s League play Tuesday following a 0-0 draw against Herediano.
The result ends a shot at redemption from a Salt Lake core of players that barely fell in the final of the 2010-2011 edition of the competition.
The home side attacked throughout the match but was unable to penetrate the Costa Rican side’s defense.
Real Salt Lake controlled the first 10 minutes of the match, but was unable to capitalize with an early goal.
Luis Gil got the first shot on goal of the match in the 4th minute when he cracked one from distance. Herediano’s keeper made a diving save to keep the match scoreless.
Fabian Espindola nearly scored in the 6th minute when a flick found him behind the defense. He rounded the keeper, but missed his shot at the open net off the crossbar.
Salt Lake had a goal waved off in the 16th minute when a corner kick from Morales found Borchers’ head en route to the back of the net. However, it was waved off for a foul on the play before the goal.
Herediano had chances as well. Salt Lake required help from Wingert and Borchers to clear a ball off the line in the 25th minute to preserve the 0-0 draw.
Borchers nearly found the net again in the 28th minute when he headed a cross at the upper 90. Herediano’s keeper made an impressive leaping save to tip the ball just outside the net.
Will Johnson made a great attempt in the 42nd minute, rounding the back line and putting a soft shot on frame. The Herediano keeper again made an incredible save to hold the match scoreless.
Morales teed one up from distance in the 44th minute, forcing Herediano’s keeper again to make a leaping save.
Salt Lake continued to attack throughout the first half. The side registered dominant statistics, controlling 62 percent of possession and putting seven shots on goal.
Herediano came out in the second half to defend. With literally the whole team hanging back defensively, the Costa Rican side attempted to simply play for the 0-0 draw.
Nick Rimando made a few critical saves down the stretch to keep the match even, but the action that mattered was on the offensive end.
A second Salt Lake goal was pulled out of the net when Espindola bicycled kicked at the ball and hit a Herediano player in the face. The rebound fell to Tony Beltran in the 62nd minute and the Californian put the goal away, but the referee had already blown the play dead.
This was Salt Lake’s last great opportunity. The side was unable to score and was eliminated from Champion’s League play.
Category: Game Review
