RSL makes historic leap into Champions League finals

BY MICHAEL C. LEWIS
The Salt Lake Tribune

First published 6 hours ago
Updated 5 hours ago
San Jose, Costa Rica • Jamison Olave smiled wide and cupped his hands to his ears, wondering just what the fans had to say, now.

He had to love the answer.

Nada.

Just as the tide had begun to turn against Real Salt Lake amid the din of the most hostile stadium in which it has ever played, the hulking defender knocked home a brilliant left-footed volley off a deflected corner kick to score a crucial away goal in a 2-1 loss to the Saprissa “Purple Monster” on Tuesday night to assure his team will advance to the CONCACAF Champions League title series for the first time.




“It’s ecstasy, at that moment,” coach Jason Kreis said.

Or agony, depending on your perspective.

The instant it happened, the roaring stadium fell silent, and Olave was able to enjoy his playful moment knowing RSL will have a chance to make history after winning the two-game series 3-2 on aggregate ­— even though striker Alvaro Saborio had little impact against his former team.

“We always knew we had the advantage and a goal would win it,” Olave said through an interpreter.