**CF Monterrey** and **Real Salt Lake** will be squaring off in one of the most interesting matches of today’s group stage matches at Leagues Cup 2023. Although expectations are high because both teams have played well in their respective leagues, this matchup has an exciting final in its history that went the Mexican side’s way: the 2011 Concacaf Champions League title.
At that time, Real Salt Lake had reached the final after beating Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in the semifinal. They previously emerged from Group A as leaders against rivals such as Cruz Azul, Toronto FC and Árabe Unido de Panamá. And beat Columbus Crew in the quarterfinals.
As for the Rayados, on the other side of the bracket they dispatched Cruz Azul (semifinals) and Toluca FC (quarterfinals) on the road to the finals and finished first in Group C over Deportivo Saprissa, Marathón and Seattle Sounders.
CF Monterrey 2-2 Real Salt Lake | First Leg
The Estadio Tecnológico de Monterrey, the team's home until the 2015 Clausura Tournament, was the site of the captivating match that delivered high emotions until the end.
Aldo de Nigris, a historic Mexican striker, opened the scoring 18 minutes into the first half. Everything seemed to be going the Rayados’ way, but at the most unexpected moment, Nat Borchers equalized with a header in the 35th minute.
Chilean Humberto Suazo converted a penalty kick in the 63rd minute following a handball call in the box and things seemed to be going for the Mexican side. But, in the final play of the match, Argentine Javier Morales notched an equalizer and left the door open for a fight in the second leg.
Real Salt Lake 0-1 CF Monterrey | Second Leg
The second leg took place at Rio Tinto Stadium, currently called America First Field and home of Real Salt Lake. Like in the first leg, the match was even and exciting, which created moment that will remain forever in the minds of fans of both clubs.
One of them was the goal scored by Humberto Suazo after a series of rebounds in the box and in the last minute of the first half before going to halftime.
Then, on the opposite side, there was a monumental save in stoppage time. In that moment, goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco became a hero, with a one-handed save to prevent an RSL goal.
A title that marked a before and after for Rayados
This final meant CF Monterrey's first conquest in the Concacaf Champions League and, although it had previously lifted the Concacaf Cup Winners' Cup, it had the benefit of earning an outstanding intercontinental title.
They gained momentum after celebrating in 2011 and became a three-time champion adding trophies in 2012 and 2013. As if that were not enough, they were later crowned again in 2019 and 2021.
Will this matchup against Real Salt Lake also open the doors for them to mark a milestone in Leagues Cup?
