Real Salt Lake on the brink of history

SANDY — As the final whistle sounded last Wednesday in Monterrey, Mexico, Real Salt Lake's Javier Morales didn't hold anything back with his triumphant display of emotion at midfield. He had every reason to be ecstatic following his stunning 89th-minute equalizer.

Morales was still on cloud nine when he vacated the locker room 30 minutes later, but it was a tempered excitement.

"It means nothing 'cause we have to go home and we have to try and win the game," said Morales.

In the buildup to tonight's final leg in the CONCACAF Champions League final against the Rayados, Morales' teammates have shared his sentiment time and time again. As great as it was becoming the fourth team in MLS history to earn a draw in Mexico, it won't mean anything if Real Salt Lake doesn't take care of business at Rio Tinto Stadium tonight.

Thanks to its 2-2 result last week, RSL is 90 minutes away from winning the continental championship and becoming the first MLS team to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

First, however, it must finish off a very talented Monterrey team.

"We're exactly where we wanted to be. We're in the driver's seat. It's our game to lose," said Will Johnson. "It's a nice position to be in, but we can't be too comfortable. It will be a very tight game. We've got to be on our toes for sure."

With the two-game aggregate series level at 2-2, a victory for either team clinches the championship. In the event of another tie though, the first tiebreaker is road goals. Having scored twice in Mexico, a 0-0 or 1-1 tie tonight will be good enough for Real Salt Lake to celebrate arguably the biggest accomplishment in MLS history in front of its home fans.

RSL has to like its chances with a 34-match home unbeaten streak in all competitive matches.

"I think we have to feel good about what we accomplished down there. We have to feel good about the result we bring back, but it's a measured good for sure, because this is still a very dangerous opponent and we still have a lot of work to be done," said coach Jason Kreis.

It will likely take 90 minutes of focus to protect the lead, something that's eluded RSL lately.

Down in Costa Rica in the semifinals, against Colorado at home two weeks ago, and then in Monterrey last week, there were long stretches in each match where Real Salt Lake didn't play like the dominant team fans are accustomed to seeing.