Real Salt Lake came into Wednesday's second half of the Tigres series down two goals but confident it could come from behind on its home field. The Tigres seemed content to ping the ball around their third, and RSL patiently waited. In the 21st minute it struck. Nick Rimando sent one of his patented side volleys to Juan Manuel Martinez, who managed to pick the ball out of the air and turn it in one motion, two-touching it to Yura Movsysian, who turned head on to face his defender, deked him and sent a perfectly weighted and targeted pass into the box where Joao Plata had sprinted and scrapped his way in to ping the ball into the back of the net. The first half ended with RSL up 1-0, and carrying the momentum.
Real Salt Lake continued on the attack in the second half, creating several excellent opportunities, including a penalty kick chance for Javier Morales. RSL couldn't put in a second goal and left the door open for Tigres to come back and notch a goal of their own in the melee of the second half.
Here are the player grades:
Nick Rimando (GK), 10, was very good in the box, but his atypical distribution looked as though he were in midseason form, Wednesday night. He dropped a handful of balls at players feet, in stride, including the one to Juan Manuel Martinez in the 21st minute that sparked RSLs lone goal.
Chris Wingert (DEF), 8, played in Salt Lake City for the first time since returning to RSL Wednesday night. He looked as though he'd never left. Still not the fastest player on the field, but atheltic and smart, Wingert used his veteran savvy and inate sense of spacing and personnel to keep RSL's left flank secure.
Jamison Olave (DEF), 8, has the physical presence and speed still to match up with the likes of Tigres striker Andre Gignac. He kept the Tigres most potent weapon well heeled most of the night Wednesday. He did especially well keeping the linkup between Gignac and his talented strike partner, Javier Aquino, from amounting to much.
Aaron Maund (DEF), 7, has all the physical tools, a good sense of spacing and just enough fire in his belly to be a good central defender. He put his skills to good work Wednesday night keeping the Tigres' attack looking more kitten-like than tigerish. But Maund's most important goal this season must be to develop as a vocal, organizing center back if RSL is to have a successful season.
Tony Beltran (DEF), 9, drew the most difficult defensive straw, being pitted against the Tigres' speedy and skilled midfielder Javier Aquino. Beltran did extremely well staying in front of Aquino on the attack and partnering with his central defenders to deny him crossing opportunities. Beltran also found a couple of opportunities to play into the attack, linking up with Martinez and Morales numerous times to give RSL some nice scoring opportunities.
"Sunny" Obayan (MID), 7, showed why fans are excited about him Wednesday night. He's speedy, he's not afraid to attack on defense and he is composed on offense. He's a very good passer and seems to have a strong sense of the field.
Javier Morales (MID), 8, started Wednesday where he left off at home last season. Morales is in excellent form. His passing continues to be his trademark, and the RSL attack was strongest once Morales spent the first 15 minutes to feel out the Tigres' defense. Morales was put at the penalty spit in the 73rd minute when Juan Manuel Martinez was taken down inside the box, but in uncharacteristic fashion, Morales mis-hit his shot and Tigres 'keeper Nahuel Guzman was able to get a paw to the ball.
Another look at Morales' PK. pic.twitter.com/mZQHHkgbi8
— RSL Pride (@RSLpride) March 3, 2016
Kyle Beckerman (MID), 7, found himself facing an aggressive Tigres midfield that looked … well, defensively, it looked a lot like Kyle Beckerman. He struggled a little, being run down as far as speed when the ball was at his feet, which happend every time it was at his feet. Beckerman found some rhythm and space midway through the first half and was a big part of the RSL onslaught that kept RSL in the Tigres' third the final 25 minutes of the second half.
Yura Movsysian (FWD), 8, is not your prototypical post-up center striker. While he's not awkward, he doesn't exactly seem comfortable with his back to the goal, laying off passes. He'd clearly rather take the attack to the defense, and that's exactly what gave RSL its lone goal in the 22nd minute as Movsysian turned to face Tigres defender Jose Torres, balked, then sent a slow-burner central in the box to a streaking Joao Plata, who fought off his defender to redirect the ball into goal.
Joao Plata (FWD), 7, struggled against the Tigres' faster and bigger defenders when he was on the ball, but his own speed and tenacity produced some excellent runs, including the 22nd minute one that netted RSL its lone goal and sparked Rio Tinto Stadium with hope.
Juan Manuel Martinez (FWD), 9, was Real's brightest spark on the attack, playing a crucial role in bringing down a Rimando kick in the 21st minute that sparked the Movsysian assisted Plata goal. He continued to show excellent skill and a penchant for action in building off the momentum of RSL's first-half goal.
Olmes Garcia (SUB 84', FWD), NO SCORE, came on for Yura Movsysian and provided a nice spark, but the substitution was too little, too late.
Jordan Allen (SUB 88', MID), NO SCORE, came on for the injured Aaron Maund who was removed from the game after being pinged in the head in a reckless challenge by Tigres midfielder Jesus Duenas.
Chris Higbee is a former general manager of DeseretNews.com and continues to write about soccer and the arts.