Mexico City • Real Salt Lake was on the cusp of history, leading Cruz Azul 3-1 in the 75th minute as part of its bid to be the first American team to beat a Mexican club team on the road in CONCACAF play.

But in an improbable conclusion, the teams combined for five goals in the final portion of a game that came down to the very last minute. At the end, RSL took a 5-4 loss in a rain-soaked match in Mexico City.

Cruz Azul forward Javier Antonio Orozco Peñuelas came through with a superb four-goal effort, including scores in the 88th and 89th minutes to take a 4-3 lead, stunning the defending MLS champions.

RSL found a reason for hope when forward Will Johnson tied the match with only about two minutes remaining. But Christian Giménez played the spoiler for Cruz Azul, winning a one-on-one with RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando in the final minute.

Cruz Azul's offensive explosion extended the legacy of Mexican dominance, and RSL's collapse extended American teams' futile record to 0-43-3.

"It's gravely disappointing," RSL coach Jason Kreis said of his team's lackluster defensive effort. "I feel we have a very mature team that doesn't typically make mistakes like that."

Forward Alvaro Saborio was a force for RSL, responding to a early Cruz Azul score by scoring on a penalty kick and a picked-off pass to give RSL a 2-1 lead in the first half.

When Saborio found Fabian Espindola for another score, it seemed like a rout. But from then on, Peñuelas dominated a porous RSL defense.

The loss leaves RSL tied with the other three teams in Group A of the CONCACAF Champions League at 1-1.

RSL is back in action Saturday at Toronto FC in an MLS contest.