The 2011 CONCACAF Champions League final was the final of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League, and the third final of the current format of the CONCACAF Champions League. The match was contested in a two-leg aggregate format between April 20–27, 2011.
The winners earned the right to represent CONCACAF at the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup, entering at the quarterfinal stage.
Background
Mexican side Monterrey is the only team in the tournament that remains undefeated with an accumulated record of 8 victories and 2 draws.
American side Real Salt Lake is the first MLS team to reach the final of the tournament since the 2000 edition, where Los Angeles Galaxy was crowned champion.
The 2011 final was the first Champions League final, under its current format, that did not feature an all-Mexican final. Additionally, this is the first time since 2000 that a U.S. team has made the final.
Road to the final
MonterreyRound Real Salt LakeByePreliminary roundByeOpponentResultGroup stageOpponentResult Saprissa1–0 (H)Matchday 1 Árabe Unido2–1 (H) Seattle Sounders FC2–0 (A)Matchday 2 Cruz Azul4–5 (A) Marathón2–0 (H)Matchday 3 Toronto FC4–1 (H) Seattle Sounders FC3–2 (H)Matchday 4 Árabe Unido3–2 (A) Saprissa2–2 (A)Matchday 5 Toronto FC1–1 (A) Marathón1–0 (A)Matchday 6 Cruz Azul3–1 (H)Group C winner TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts Monterrey6510114+716 Saprissa6312117+410 Marathón6204511−66 Seattle Sounders FC6105611−53Final standingsGroup A winner TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts Real Salt Lake64111711+613 Cruz Azul6312159+610 Toronto FC622257−28 Árabe Unido6105414−103OpponentAgg.1st leg2nd legChampionship roundOpponentAgg.1st leg2nd leg Toluca2–01–0 (A)1–0 (H)Quarterfinals Columbus Crew4–10–0 (A)4–1 (H) Cruz Azul3–22–1 (H)1–1 (A)Semifinals Saprissa3–12–0 (H)1–2 (A)
Rules Like other match-ups in the knockout round, the teams played two games, one at each team's home stadium. If the teams remained tied after 90 minutes of play during the 2nd leg, the away goals rule would be used, but not after a tie enters extra time, and so a tie would be decided by penalty shootout if the aggregate score is level after extra time.
Final summary
First leg
MONTERREY: GK 1 Jonathan OrozcoDF 15 José María BasantaDF 4 Ricardo OsorioDF 24 Sergio PérezDF 21 Hiram MierMF 8 Luis Ernesto Pérez MF 18 Neri CardozoMF 20 Walter AyovíFW 9 Aldo de Nigris FW 26 Humberto SuazoFW 11 Sergio Santana Substitutes:MF 17 Jesús Zavala FW 10 Osvaldo Martínez FW 28 Jesús Arellano Manager: Victor Manuel VucetichREAL SALT LAKE: GK 18 Nick RimandoDF 3 Robbie Russell DF 6 Nat BorchersDF 17 Chris WingertDF 4 Jámison OlaveMF 5 Kyle Beckerman MF 20 Ned Grabavoy MF 8 Will JohnsonMF 11 Javier MoralesFW 7 Fabián EspíndolaFW 15 Álvaro Saborío Substitutes:MF 77 Andy Williams DF 2 Tony Beltran MF 10 Arturo Alvarez Manager: Jason Kreis Assistant referees: William Torres Juan Francisco Zumba Fourth official: Elmer Bonilla
Second leg
REAL SALT LAKE: GK 18 Nick RimandoDF 17 Chris WingertDF 6 Nat BorchersDF 3 Robbie Russell DF 4 Jámison OlaveMF 8 Will JohnsonMF 20 Ned GrabavoyMF 77 Andy Williams MF 11 Javier MoralesFW 15 Álvaro SaboríoFW 7 Fabián Espíndola Substitutes:DF 2 Tony Beltran MF 10 Arturo Alvarez MF 10 Paulo Araujo Jr. Manager: Jason KreisMONTERREY: GK 1 Jonathan OrozcoDF 15 José María BasantaDF 24 Sergio Pérez DF 6 Héctor MoralesDF 21 Hiram MierMF 4 Ricardo Osorio MF 18 Neri Cardozo MF 20 Walter AyovíFW 10 Osvaldo Martínez FW 26 Humberto Suazo FW 11 Sergio Santana Substitutes:FW 13 Abraham Darío Carreño DF 5 Duilio Davino DF 2 Severo Meza Manager: Victor Manuel Vucetich Assistant referees: Daniel Williamson Jaime Smith Fourth official: Jafeth Perea
References
External links CONCACAF Champions League official website