Real Salt Lake reaches CONCACAF Champions final

Published Apr. 6, 2011 5:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

Real Salt Lake reached the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League despite losing 2-1 to Costa Rican club Saprissa on Tuesday.

American side Salt Lake won the first leg of the semifinal 2-0 and advanced 3-2 on aggregate.

Luis Cordero scored for Saprissa a minute into the second half, but Jamison Olave equalized in the 61st to snuff out hope for the Costa Ricans. Alonso Solis converted a penalty for Saprissa in the 87th.

Salt Lake will face one of two Mexican clubs in the final. Cruz Azul and Monterrey play Wednesday in the other second-leg semifinal. Monterrey leads 2-1 after the first leg.

Salt Lake defended solidly in the first half and gave the Costa Ricans few chances.

Cordero shocked Salt Lake as the second half opened with a shot into the top corner of the net, giving the home crowd a boost. But with Saprissa pressing, Olave scored on a volley following a corner kick.

Solis came on as a late substitute and quickly converted the penalty, beating Salt Lake keeper Nick Rimando.