RSL clinches berth in final eight

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Sep 28, 2010

[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Real Salt Lake became the first team this season to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions League when it rallied to earn a 1-1 tie with Toronto FC before more than 10,000 fans at BMO Field on Tuesday. Cruz Azul of Mexico clinched the other berth from Group A in the knockout phase.

The TFC-RSL match featured two well-taken goals, the first by Jacob Peterson for the home team on the counter in the 20th minute and the second by Javier Morales, returning from a four-game layoff with a quad injury, on a free kick that flew over the Toronto wall and then deflected off Julian de Guzman into the goal in the 67th minute.

Ryan Findley had several late chances to add to RSL's lead but he was stopped by goalie Jon Conway.

The Columbus Crew can clinch a berth in the quarterfinals with a win or tie Wednesday at Guatemala's Municipal.

The Puerto Rico Islanders are still in contention in Group D but probably need to beat Toluca of Mexico at home on Wednesday to have any chance of advancing.

Sept. 28 in Toronto
Toronto FC 1 Real Salt Lake 1. Goals: Peterson 20; Morales 67.
Toronto FC -- Conway, Attakora, Garcia, Gargan, Cann, de Guzman, Labrocca (White, 75), Peterson (Mista. 64), Usanov, Maicon Santos (Barrett, 30), De Rosario.
Real Salt Lake -- Rimando, Russell, Olave, Borchers, Wingert, Williams, Beckerman, Warner (Morales, 46), Johnson (Grabavoy, 62), Findley, Saborio (Alexandre, 82).