The 2011 CONCACAF Champions League is down to just four teams, with the semi-final series kicking off this week. Real Salt Lake are the only remaining side from USA and will take on Costa Rican giants Deportivo Saprissa, whilst Mexico’s two remaining participants Cruz Azul and Monterrey square off.

Genuine Salt Lake emerged victorious from a tense quarter-final tangle with fellow Key League Soccer outfit Columbus Crew. The very first leg of the affair ended – on a frozen pitch at the Crew’s house base in Ohio, but surprise 2009 MLS champions Genuine Salt Lake threw caution to the wind in their return fixture last week at Rio Tinto Stadium. Javier Morales was the man of the hour, scoring two objectives and setting up another in an emphatic four-one win for a side who – along with the rest of MLS – commence their 2001 standard season this week.

The win sees RSL become the 1st MLS side to reach the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League considering that it changed formats in 2008. They will now meet up with Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa in the semi-final, with the 1st leg at house on Tuesday.

“It’s essential for us to don’t forget that this is a two-leg affair, no matter what. We can’t win the complete point in one game,” said coach Jason Kreis, formerly a star striker for the club. “We have to be well-prepared, realize the task at hand, comprehend our opponent and make sure our energy levels are correct from the first really minute,” added midfielder Will Johnson of the test to come. A complete residence is expected at Real’s property stadium to greet the arrival of Saprissa, who will have a significant advantage in the second leg at their hugely intimidating Saprissa Stadium in San Jose.

“It’s essential for us to keep in mind that this is a two-leg affair, no matter what. We can’t win the complete point in one particular game,” said coach Jason Kreis, formerly a star striker for the club. “We have to be properly-prepared, understand the job at hand, realize our opponent and make sure our energy levels are correct from the first quite minute,” added midfielder Will Johnson of the test to come. A full home is expected at Real’s house stadium to greet the arrival of Saprissa, who will have a important advantage in the second leg at their hugely intimidating Saprissa Stadium in San Jose.

Saprissa, led by the quarter-final scorers Armando Alonso and Luis Diego Cordero, arrive on the back of their own winning campaign, obtaining dispatched Olimpia of Honduras. Their difficult-fought two-1 win in the second leg on the road in San Pedro Sula sealed a 3-1 aggregate triumph for the Costa Rican powerhouse. It was also a fifth straight victory for the three-time CONCACAF champions as they aim to return to the final for the first time given that 2008.

All-Mexican celebration
The other side of the bracket sees the two remaining Mexican sides square off. Five-time champions Cruz Azul are back in the semi-finals for the third straight year and will be favourites heading into their showdown with Monterrey, which starts on 16 April. The Mexico City side thrashed Santos five-one on aggregate in their quarter-final series and will be hoping to do the same to awaiting opponents Monterrey in the semi-finals.

“It’s a positive point to be playing in the Champions League,” said Cruz Azul’s tough-man and Mexican international Gerardo Torrado, banishing issues that the team are losing concentrate with domestic and continental play going on. “Playing in two competitive conditions helps to give us focus to fight for titles.”

The Rayados, for their part, reached the semi-final round by following a a lot trickier path. A one- win on the road against Toluca in the initial leg was followed up by an identical result back house, the lone aim of the contest coming from Neri Cardozo in the dying moments of the contest and lastly allowing Monterrey’s fans to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

The CONCACAF Champions League has been won by a Mexican side on 27 occasions (21 far better than second-location Costa Rica), which includes the final five instalments. The winner of the final series – to be played more than two legs in late April – will represent the region at the next FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.