Cruising Passed Azul

With the top spot in their CONCACAF Champions League group on the line, Jason Kreis rolled out a pieced together squad of mostly reserves and defeated one of the most storied Mexican programs 3-1 in front of a sold-out Rio Tinto (arguably, most of the crowd were supporters of the away side) off of two strikes from Paulo Jr. and a finish from Collen Warner.

Paulo Jr.'s first goal came in the 43rd minute when he chipped the ball passed Azul keeper Yosgart Gutierrez for the game's opener. The play came off a nice through ball from Collen Warner. Paulo collected the pass while fighting off a defender and gently placed over an outstretched Gutierrez.

Paulo Jr. struck again on the other side of the half time break when he put away a Robbie Findley cross. Findley, a 66th minute replacement for Pablo Campos, received a ball down the wing from Tony Beltran and burned a pass across the six yard box, that Paulo Jr. pushed into the opposite side netting.

Real Salt Lake continued to go after the Mexican squad and it all paid off only moments later as Andy Williams played a perfect ball to a streaking Collen Warner, who easily put it in to the net in the 70th minute.

The game seemed to be getting out of hand for Cruz Azul but they were able to pull one back only seconds after RSL's third when Cesar Villaluz took advantage of some sloppy defense and beat goalkeeper Kyle Reynish for a goal.

Azul pushed forward from there but was never able to break the RSL back line that consisted of Tony Beltran, Rauwshan McKenzie, Nat Borchers and Will Johnson, who throughout the match went with a bend, never break approach that ultimately worked.

Salt Lake now needs to wait until February to resume Champions League play.

Man of the Match: Paulo Araujo Jr.'s two goals may have been a product of being in the right place at the right time, but what struck me is the composure of his finishes; something that often lacks in RSL's attackers. So for that, and his all around hustle, the man of the match goes to Paulo Jr.