SANDY, UTAH – New signing Juan Manuel Martinez made an impact once again, as Real Salt Lake came back from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Santa Tecla in their CONCACAF Champions’ League game. Martinez and Olmes Garcia got on the scoresheet for RSL.
With the game tied 1-1 and 13 minutes left on the clock, the Argentine combination of Martinez and Morales – both having come off the bench, provided the magic needed to seal the game. Martinez had made a penetrating run into the box from an advanced wide-left position, and Morales complemented with a killer ball past the Santa Tecla backline. Martinez capped off the move with a neat scoop past keeper Juan Trinidad.
Earlier in the half, though, the situation looked much gloomier for RSL. Irvin Herrerra found himself on the end of a rather innocuous ball from deep that caught the RSL defense off-guard. The Santa Tecla no. 9 was able to shrug off RSL center-backs to finish past a hapless Jeff Atinella.
The goal, which had come at the 61 minute mark, was very much against the run of play – nonetheless, it was a poor goal to concede from an RSL perspective. The ball appeared to hang in the air for some time, and perhaps Attinella would’ve done better to step up and sweep rather than stay on his line.
The shock lead from the El Salvador side had forced RSL coach Jeff Cassar to bring on Beckerman, Morales and Martinez from the bench.
Cassar did not have to wait long for his substitutes to make an impact. RSL forced their way back into the game when a Javier Morales ball was met emphatically in the box by Olmes Garcia. The forward’s beat the Santa Tecla keeper to pull RSL level in the 73rd minute.
While Morales did come up with the final assist, Martinez was actively involved in the build-up for the goal. Rather than staying on the last defender, the Argentine had come into more deeper central positions to create passing options – something that was lacking from the other RSL forwards.
Earlier in the day, the match kicked off to a cagey start as the El Salvadorian side were happy to sit back with an extremely narrow back four. Luis Gil had a half-chance in the opening minutes, but his shot from outside the box went wide of goal.
Slowly, though, RSL began to turn the screws as the half progressed. At the 40 minute mark, Olmes Garcia found himself unmarked in the box, but his header was tipped over the bar by keeper Juan Trinidad. Joao Plata also had an effort saved by the Santa Tecla keeper in the 42nd minute. The rebound fell to Sebastian Jaime, but his header could only hit the crossbar.
The Santa Tecla offense barely made an impression in the first half – their brightest moment of the half came in the 19th minute, when Luis Hinestroza was taken down by RSL defender Elias Vasquez. The resulting set-piece was cleared away to safety.
RSL secured their qualification with the win – but would have been concerned with the fitness of playmaker Javi Morales, who appeared to be limping in the closing minutes of the match. Santa Tecla had only managed a point from their CCL campaign, and are now all but eliminated from the competition.
