CONCACAF: Real Salt Lake a heavy favorite against rebuilt Crew

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea are among the biggest soccer clubs in the world.

Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, is a small-market team in a league barely taken seriously anywhere.

As far-fetched as it seems, RSL is just six games away from perhaps meeting one of these Super Clubs at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan in December.

"How many opportunities in your lifetime would you get to represent your club at the world championships in Japan," said RSL defender Nat Borchers. "I think that would be an amazing feat to be able to accomplish. This group can do that."

That quest to put Real Salt Lake on the map begins tonight in Columbus in the first game of its CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series with the Crew. The second leg will be played at Rio Tinto Stadium on March 1, with the aggregate winner advancing to the semifinals.

The eventual CCL champion advances to the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan from Dec. 8-18.

No MLS team has ever advanced to the tournament, but RSL's players believe they have what it takes to make history.

"The Champions League is a special, special thing. You want to be the best in your region. We feel like we're the best team in the region, and we have an opportunity to go out and prove it," said midfielder Will Johnson.

Tonight's match kicks off at 6 p.m. at Crew Stadium and will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel.

Real Salt Lake advanced to the quarterfinals by winning Group A of the Champions League last fall. Following it up with a championship is the top priority this season.

"It's everything. It's bigger than MLS Cup right now, it's bigger than everything. That's our No. 1 focus," said Johnson.

Even though the MLS regular season doesn't kick off until March 19, the players admit it feels like they're opening the season with the playoffs.

"It's totally different than anything I've had in MLS, but I kind of like that. To be honest with you it's fun to play something meaningful right way and not have to wait a couple months before a big match," said defender Chris Wingert.

Most believe RSL is a heavy favorite to advance.

Excluding Robbie Findley, every significant contributor from last year is back in 2011. Even Findley's loss isn't terribly significant with the arrival of dynamic playmaker Arturo Alvarez from the San Jose Earthquakes.