This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A mere 30 days after players reported for their 2016 entrance physicals, the book on Real Salt Lake's preseason is now closed.

RSL concluded the preseason preparation for its looming CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series with Tigres UANL and the 2016 Major League Soccer season with a 1-1 draw against the Columbus Crew Saturday night in Tucson, Ariz. Midfielder Jordan Allen put RSL up 1-0 in the 17th minute after running onto and finishing a pass by Emery Welshman.

The lead wouldn't last long.

Columbus star Kei Kamara — who had 22 goals for the Crew in 2015 — pulled his club even in the 26th minute in typical Kamara fashion: Rising to meet a header that he eventually put into the back of the net.

RSL coach Jeff Cassar put out a second-team lineup against the Crew. The anticipated starting lineup against Tigres Wednesday evening in the Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, Mexico, went 45 minutes Saturday morning in a scrimmage against FC Tucson. RSL won 4-0 behind three goals from Joao Plata and another by Burrito Martinez.

With Luke Mulholland dealing with a quadriceps injury suffered last week, "Sunny" Obayan is likely to get the starting nod next to captain Kyle Beckerman in RSL's midfield behind Javier Morales .

With their stints in Oceanside, Calif., and Tucson done, all eyes turn to Tigres, who played to a dramatic 2-2 road draw against Querétaro FC Friday evening. The defending Liga MX champs are currently 3-2-2 in league play and sit in fifth place. RSL was reminded — once again — how much of a test it faces in attempting to slow down French forward André-Pierre Gignac.

The 30-year-old Tigres forward scored his Liga MX-leading seventh goal in six games Friday night, picking up where he left off following his 15-goal season in the Apertura season.

Nothing but Tigres from here on out.

Above are highlights from RSL's scrimmage against FC Tucson, courtesy of RSL communications

-Chris Kamrani

Twitter: @chriskamrani