This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Sandy • Only 20 seconds away from halftime, Real Salt Lake's championship dream began to come apart.
With a deft touch, Monterrey's Humberto Suazo broke through RSL's vaunted defense. The score was enough to carry Los Rayados to a 1-0 victory and a CONCACAF title that few thought they could win — in front of 20,378 screaming fans at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.
"It was the exact thing we talked to the guys about stopping all along," RSL coach Jason Kreis said. "I had to remind guys several times that if you take one play off against Monterrey, you'll pay for it."
Monterrey had been on its heels for a good portion of the opening minutes, but suddenly RSL's iron facade crumbled. Sergio Santana found room behind RSL's defenders, forcing goalkeeper Nick Rimando out of goal. But instead of shooting into his outstretched arms, Santana crossed to Suazo, who shot on an open net.
It was an all-too-easy play for Los Rayados, who claimed some gut-turning momentum from the score going into the locker room.
"I just remember trying to sweep to the other side when they got in and cut the ball back," defender Chris Wingert said. "I know we were trying to keep them compact and to the outside but I'm not even sure where the breakdown happened."
Santana's simple give-and-go to even get a one-on-one matchup was enough to fool defender Robbie Russell. Even when Suavo took the shot, Nat Borchers appeared to have a chance to block it, but it was just a bit out of his reach. Monterrey humbled the RSL defense, which had been the foundation of the team's 37-game home unbeaten streak.
"It was a fast play with a couple give-and-goes, luckily one of them ended up with a goal," Monterrey coach Victor Manuel Vicetich said through an interpreter. "That's why they're there. They know how to play and to have the patience necessary to make it."