Allow me to do my own, cheesy Agent Smith impersonation, ahem. Here it goes.

Welcome back, Mr. Landon Donovan. Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy missed you.

End impersonation. It doesn't look like that right knee seems to be nagging him too much, as he was able to score a brace in the Galaxy's 3-0 victory over John Spencer's Portland Timbers, who lacked the execution and skill that powered them to success last week.

“I felt good," Donovan said after the game. "I didn’t feel as sharp or fit after 60 minutes, but it was good to get 70 minutes, I think. In the beginning of the week, 45 would have been a stretch, so I’m happy to play and it was a good result.”

Oh, how can things change in the course of a week. And I will note this to all of you readers again: the Portland Timbers are not MLS Cup Playoff contenders, at least not yet. They will get their share of wins, but as you can see, they don't have what it takes to contend with the Real Salt Lakes, New York Red Bulls and Los Angeles Galaxies of the world.

Interestingly enough, Real Salt Lake is the Timbers' next opponent. Makes you wonder what's going to happen at Jeld-Wen Field. Perhaps the fortress may not be so tough after all. Stay tuned for next week's results.

“We knew that they were a big team and if we gave them chances with set pieces and stuff that they would cause us problems," said midfielder David Beckham. "And they did it, on occasions. But, we knew that if we kept the ball on the ground passing, like we know we can pass, we’d win the game.”

Aside from that, the Galaxy were able to cope with the loss of Leonardo for the season. Having Sean Franklin and A.J. DeLaGarza in the back to go with Omar Gonzalez and Todd Dunivant worked, as they held Jorge Perlaza and Kalif Alhassan at bay.

“That’s what I like with my defense," said Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. "They keep it clean and whatever spills—I just mop up. It’s good team work.”

Chad Barrett broke open the scoring just four minutes into the match with a through ball from Donovan. Onside plus open space equals a sensational blast from distance. Good touch, too.

Barrett needs to continue his production because he is capable of probably being the next Edson Buddle. Now that's a stretch for me to say that, I will let you know, but a breakout year is a breakout year, and if he keeps this up, it will be a breakout year for the Galaxy's No. 11.

“Chad’s a player with a lot of promise," Arena told reporters after the match, according to LAGalaxy.com. "We’ve seen over the last three or four weeks his understanding of how to play with our team. His mobility—he’s a great asset, a strong player. Obviously, he finished off that first goal quite well. I think he’s been very promising over the last two or three games.”

“A lot of people say it just takes that first one to gain confidence in your strike and stuff like that," Barrett said. "I didn’t think twice about taking that shot. That’s what you need to do if you want to constantly score goals.

"I had a lot of opportunities and wish I could have buried a couple more, but I’m very happy to have scored that goal early and get us off to a good start.”

Four minutes after LA took a 1-0 lead, Portland was called for a foul on the Timbers' Rodney Wallace inside the box, and Landon earned his first goal of the season.

Calm as you like, coolly slotted home, enough said. His first goal in 731 minutes made it 2-0 Galaxy.

Credit to Los Angeles's efforts to press in the second half, because they knew that consolidating a lead will be for the best. Juan Pablo Angel's short cross in the 67th minute found Donovan's head to put the game out of reach.

Along with the offensive firepower of Barrett and Donovan, Los Angeles broke up Portland's possessions and established a sound passing game, pressuring Timbers goalkeeper Troy Perkins.

The former D.C. United keeper was going to face a firing squad on Holy Saturday 2011, and he made a fantastic array of saves, but he simply didn't make enough.

That's not to say that Ricketts didn't have to do his share of work.

Especially during the second half, Ricketts showed the visiting contingent of the Timbers Army why he was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2010, making stops in the 31st, 71st, and 80th minutes.

“I just reacted and luckily it hit me," Ricketts said of his performance. "I’m glad I picked it up. You just react. Today was my day to make saves.”

Even though this is against an expansion team, the Galaxy have played their best soccer to date this year. The bar is now raised, and this is a result that Bruce Arena and company can build off of.

“It was certainly a good win for our team," Arena said of the result. "The storyline is the two early goals. To be up by two goals in the first ten minutes of the game is important. I think, at times, tonight we played quite well. We are passing the ball better.

"We are getting a little bit better as a team. However, it’s still a little bit sloppy over 90 minutes. Our concentration could be better at the end of the games. We got sloppy at the end of the game, but overall it’s a good win and it’s nice to get three goals. Hopefully, we continue to move forward as a team.”

Up next for the Galaxy is a match with FC Dallas at the Oven: Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas. Kickoff is scheduled for Sunday, May 1 at 4:00 p.m. PT/7:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Sports West and Galavision.

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Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy return home to take on John Spencer's Portland Timbers tonight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

The Galaxy currently have a 3-1-3 record and are seeded second in Major League Soccer overall and the MLS Western Conference. As for the resurging Timbers, they are 2-2-1 and will look to build on their two-game winning streak.

Keep it here on Bleacher Report for continuing coverage of 2011 MLS season.

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“Twice blessed is help unlooked for.”

Tolkien always understood this. If Michael Burns and Steve Nicol didn’t previously, it’s a fair bet they both do now.

The New England Revolution’s surprise acquisition of Benny Feilhaber on April 21 certainly falls into the category of help unlooked for. The Revolution (1-3-2) have looked mostly mediocre this year, save for the opener against the LA Galaxy, and are mid-table with six points from a possible 18.

“Speaking frankly,” said Burns, the Revs VP of Player Personnel, to GOAL.com’s Alex Labidou. “There’s no way we thought he was going to be available.”

Feilhaber, a Brazilian-born midfielder who has been capped 38 times with the US National Team, was twice passed over in the allocation draft before he fell into the laps of Burns and Nicol.

Both Chivas USA and the Philadelphia Union declined to claim the former Hamburg SV player, reportedly because of his high salary, rumored to be in the neighborhood of $400,000 per year.

Chivas needs help putting the ball in the net, and as Feilhaber is more of a creator than finisher, it is likely Chivas wanted to retain right of first refusal should a more attack-minded player come along. Think Herculez Gomez or Eddie Johnson.

Major League Soccer, in all its convoluted glory, uses the allocation process to give struggling clubs first crack at repatriating US internationals entering (or re-entering) the league. 

While not a Designated Player, according to league sources, Feilhaber’s salary will count the maximum of $335,000 against the salary cap. The remainder of the player’s wages will be paid in allocation funds, held by individual clubs and awarded for missing the postseason. 

Feilhaber spent time with Hamburg in the Bundesliga and Derby County—during their brief stint in the EPL in 2007/08—before joining Danish side AGF Aarhus, where he made 54 appearances, tallying five goals. AGF was relegated to the Danish second tier after last season. 

The signing is especially welcome for the Revolution, as it will allow Nicol the freedom to utilize MLS All-Star Shalrie Joseph in his more natural role as a holding midfielder, taking some of the burden of creativity and ball winning off his shoulders.

If Nicol elects to continue with his preferred 4-3-3 formation, Feilhaber will be a welcome sight playing in front of Joseph and Ousmane Dabo, among others. If the ex-Liverpool man decides to go with a 4-4-2, the former UCLA Bruin could work as a wide midfielder or in tandem with Joseph in the middle.

Feilhaber joins Rajko Lekic, a Danish striker, as new a face around the Gillette Stadium clubhouse, and his arrival looks especially appealing when cast against the backdrop of Lekic’s goal-scoring record in Denmark and recent vows to produce goals if provided service.

Feilhaber adds experience, creativity and technical ability to the attacking third. The pair certainly seem to have the potential for an explosive partnership. 

"He's a technical midfielder; he's good with the ball," Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid, who coached Feilhaber while at UCLA, told The Seattle Times. "He's a good passer of the ball. Over the years, he's played a little more outside midfield now than inside midfield. He's certainly a quality player, and it's good to see him come back to the league."

Lekic made his Revs debut on April 17 during a 0-1 loss to Houston Dynamo, while Feilhaber could suit up against Sporting KC on April 23.

As far as Lekic goes, his pedigree speaks for itself. The Dane returned 76 goals in 121 appearances, all told, while at FC Silkeborg.

The Revs, by contrast, managed just 32 goals in 30 games last season, and despite some early promise, have fared little better this year, returning five goals in six games. 

After signing a contract with MLS in mid April, the US international was made available to every team through the allocation draft. 

Many, Nicol and Burns perhaps amongst them, considered it to be a foregone conclusion that Feilhaber would be snapped up by the club with the top spot in the allocation pecking order: Chivas USA.

“This was a really difficult decision because we had to look at a number of factors, first and foremost being if we take him and accommodate his salary within our salary cap, how much is that going to limit us going forward,” said Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser in a statement on the team’s website.

“Certainly, we’re looking to address some needs on the team, and having Benny would’ve been great in our midfield because he’s a very, very good player. But the fact of the matter is his salary would’ve been so high that we wouldn’t have been able to make any adjustments going forward.”

The Rojiblancos’ boss indicated that the focus will be on future acquisitions during the summer transfer window.

“In the last 36 hours, it’s been looking at every possible scenario that we thought would benefit us, and as unbelievable as it may sound, it seemed like (declining Feilhaber) was the best move for the long-term benefit of the club,” said Fraser.

“The summer window coming up is an important time for us and we’d like to position ourselves to make some moves that we think are going to further improve our team.”

Even with Chivas passing, Nicol and Burns still didn’t think the World Cup veteran midfielder would get past the Philadelphia Union.

There’s no way that at (number) three, he was going to be available,” said Burns on the team’s website of his thoughts ahead of the 5 p.m., April 19 deadline.

“And the five o’clock deadline came and went and we didn’t get anything and all of a sudden I got a call from the League saying both Chivas and Philly had passed. We were quite surprised, to say the least.”

“We figured if he wasn’t going to Chivas, he was going to Philly,” reiterated Nicol on revolutionsoccer.com.

“So, when they didn’t (select him), it was pretty straightforward for us … particularly the last year we’ve lacked experience and we obviously have wanted to do better with the ball, so it was pretty straightforward.”

For Philly and head coach Peter Nowak, the decision was about quantity before quality. The ex-Poland international explained his reasoning at his weekly news conference at PPL Park on April 20.

“There were a couple of factors we have to take into consideration,” Nowak said. “First of all, we didn’t negotiate the deal in the first place; the league did.

"Second of all, it was almost at the end of the transfer window period, which made it difficult to adjust because we already made plans for the summer (transfer window). And the most important thing is the financial stuff.”

“We don’t have a $5 million salary cap where we can make such a decision,” Nowak said. “You do the math. I’d rather have three guys than one guy. I’ve never questioned Benny’s quality. But if you combine Roger Torres, Keon Daniel and Brian Carroll, those are three players that are pretty good and have some future.”

Well, one man’s overpriced midfielder is another’s saving grace perhaps. 

“Some of the problems we had last year were a lack of experience and passing the ball,” Nicol told GOAL.com. “He’s a guy who, without a shadow of a doubt, brings loads and loads of both. It makes sense.”

As far as the player himself is concerned, Feilhaber is pleased to finally know where he will play and eager to help strengthen what he sees as a talented, yet, underachieving Revolution side.

“I feel I’m a good passer of the ball, I’m pretty calm on the ball and I can spring the team into the attack,” Feilhaber said on the Revolution’s website. “That’s definitely what I’m going to try to bring to the team.

“I think the team is stronger so far than the points we’ve got,” he said of New England’s record. “I’m excited to come in and meet the guys, be part of the whole team and try to help the team. I think we’ve got a good group of guys, and I see me fitting in well with the style of play.”

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In case you missed the latest American soccer news or were not logged on to Twitter, a bit of news broke that was likely more circulated than expected: Major League Soccer president Mark Abbott said that MLS had no plans or intentions of having promotion and relegation, nor do they have plans to ever switch to the international calendar.

Clearly this reveals that MLS was only having ideas of "simulated" promotion and relegation, along with a season switch, out of hope that FIFA would buy into their semi-conformity, as well as give the United States the World Cup bid. Of course, that did not happen, and Qatar will be hosting the 2022 games.

In that sense, the fact that Abbott has publicly stated that MLS now has no immediate or long-term plans to conform is hardly a surprise.

Unfortunately, it looks like the only inevitable change for 2012 will be that MLS moves back to an imbalanced schedule and further promotes depreciated conferences. Reason? The promotion of regional rivalries. To many, this likely sounds outrageously tacky and unneeded.

However, while the news that the league is going to retain a closed-shop model will depress non-Chivas USA fans, MLS is in no position to declare how the American soccer pyramid is structured. That power lies within the United States Soccer Federation, as MLS is a league sanctioned under U.S. Soccer, meaning that the structures of the league and how they are assembled are decided by the federation, not the league.

Examples include the United States' berths in the CONCACAF Champions League. U.S. Soccer decides which four of their affiliated clubs can qualify, not MLS. It just so happens that three MLS clubs are guaranteed a Champions League spot since MLS is the premier soccer league in the United States. Those three MLS clubs guaranteed a spot in the champions league are the winners of the MLS Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup, as well as the MLS Cup runner-up. The U.S. Open Cup champion also qualifies.

The same principle applies for the U.S. Open Cup. Only eight American MLS clubs are allowed in the tournament. The way the qualification is structured is strictly by MLS standards. Other examples of U.S. Soccer's power over MLS include referees and field approval, as well as club and league approval.

Most importantly, at least in regards to promotion and relegation, is how USSF structures its affiliated leagues. Right now, it's structured in this order: Major League Soccer, North American Soccer League, USL Professional Division, USL Premier Development League, NPSL and then USASA. In this essence, if USSF wanted to, it could make the NASL the top league in the country and demote MLS to second-tier status. Now, that won't happen, but USSF has the power to do so.

That includes the power of how club promotion and relegation works. USSF can decide that the weakest MLS clubs go down to NASL, being replaced by the top NASL clubs. Now, the leagues would heavily resist it to the point that they refuse to abide, and should they do so, they'll lose sanctioning. Consequently, all MLS clubs would lose out on the chance to play in the U.S. Open Cup, as well as the CONCACAF Champions League.

So theoretically, if Sunil Gulati and USSF Board made this decision, Chivas USA (presuming they resume their dreadful play) would have to be relegated to the North American Soccer League, if not a relegation playoff. Likewise, Puerto Rico Islanders (again, presuming they continue their strong start) will be playing MLS ball or playing Chivas in a promotion playoff. If either of the leagues resists, well, then so much for their USSF and FIFA sanctioning.

The sigh of relief (if you're in favor of a closed-league model) is that USSF will probably never institute this system, or at least as long as Gulati is in charge.

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Real Salt Lake continues to make soccer history by becoming the first team from the United States to be ranked in the top 25 of the World Club Soccer rankings.

In the recent rankings that were put out before their strong showing in the fist leg of the CONCACAF final in Mexico on Wednesday night, Real Salt Lake checks in at No. 22.

According to the ranking site, a perfect start to the Major League Soccer season, and a strong showing in the CONCACAF tournament propelled them to this prestigious ranking.

The top ten of this list includes many teams that are expected to be on this list including:

1. Manchester United
2. Barcelona
3. Real Madrid
4. AC Milan
5. Borussia Dortmund
6. Arsenal
7. Porto
8. Chelsea
9. Lille
10. Napoli

Teams that fall behind Real Salt Lake in the rankings in no particular order include:

Shalke 04
Lyon
Tottenham Hotspur
Celtic
All of MLS

Following the first leg of the CONCACAF finals, one would think that this ranking will only go up. If Real Salt Lake were to win the title against Monterrey, it will be interesting to see how high they can rise.

To view the rankings please click on this link: World Club Soccer Rankings

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New York Red Bulls/Metrostars fans have had more downs than ups since the team's inception in 1996.

Their heated rivals at DC United have won an MLS record four MLS Championships in that time and DC's fans regularly like to remind their New York counterparts of their failings of 16 years—no cups.

2009 was an all time low for the Red Bulls, winning just five games and ending with the worst record in the whole league. Yet the franchise was able to turn itself around for 2010 and finished first place in the Eastern Conferences before being eventually bounced in the first round of the playoffs by the San Jose Earthquakes.

With that turnaround in fortunes and the addition of quality internationals Jan Gunnar Solli and Teemu Tainio joining an already impressive list of players, including former Barcelona stars Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, team MVP Joel Lindpere and emerging US internationals Tim Ream and Juan Agudelo, expectations were high heading into the 2011 season.

In addition to a star studded roster already in place, General Manager Erik Soler pulled off a deal to bring in one of the leagues greatest talents, attacking midfielder/forward Dwayne De Rosario, to be the final piece of the puzzle.

Despite all the fire power at their disposal, the Red Bulls didn't come out of the gates firing on all cylinders and after four games of the season, the team had only scored two goals to go with its 1-1-2 record.

This poor start culminated with the disappointing 1-0 defeat to I-95 rivals the Philadelphia Union in a game where team captain Thierry Henry received considerable criticism from the teams supporters.

For the teams next game against San Jose, head coach Hans Backe inserted Englishman Luke Rogers up front with Henry for the first time and the two clicked instantly, with Rogers grabbing two goals and assisting Henry in the closing minutes for a resounding 3-0 victory.

It also marked the first time in Major League Soccer history that a team started with 11 players of 11 different nationalities.

But was this a one off scoreline or the start of something great?

It's appearing to look like the latter, as the Red Bull took the train down to DC and emerged with it's biggest ever win over their Atlantic Cup rivals. Henry scored twice (including his second header in two games, which is likely more headers than he ever scored at Arsenal), Joel Lindpere scored a fine goal before teenage sensation Juan Agudelo capped off the night with a sublime piece of individual brilliance.

Off season signings Solli assisted three times and Tainio is showing the sort of form in defensive midfield that saw him signed by Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland.

The man Tainio replaced in the defensive midfield role, Rafa Marquez, has moved to center half where he originally made a name for himself at Barcelona and Mexico, and has formed a solid partnership with US international Tim Ream—so much so, the team has only conceded two goals all season.

With a roster full of internationals, two world famous superstars, a GM that can seemingly do no wrong, a magnificent stadium entering its second season and a seemingly endless supply of money coming from the ownership group in Austria, are the New York Red Bulls the team to emulate in the league?

Many will argue that Real Salt Lake are the best all round team in the league in terms of it's talent and cohesion. The Utah based club just became the first MLS club to reach the CONCACAF Champions League final. They currently sit top of the Western Conference, having won all their games in the league so far this season.

Other clubs will provide challenges too; last seasons champions, Colorado Rapids, have the talent to successfully defend their title. The LA Galaxy, the leagues first "Superclub" according to Alexi Lalas, also boast a roster of league proven talent.

Ultimately, the only way to measure a clubs greatness is on the field and by collecting trophies.

The New York Red Bulls players, staff and fans all know that to be regarded as a "superclub" in this league, they not only have to claim their first title, but build on that and have consistent success.

On paper, they have probably the greatest collection of talent in the league. But championships aren't won on paper and the highest payroll does not guarantee anything.

One stumbling block the team will face this season is international call ups, with six of the starting players current internationals (this would be higher, except Scandinavians Lindpere, Solli and Tainio have declared themselves unavailable for international call-ups while playing in New York).

Hans Backe will need to ensure his full roster is ready to fill in during these times and vetaran back up players such as Carlos Mendes, Carl Robinson and Mehdi Ballouchy will be vital during these times.

Young players such as John Rooney, Matt Kassel and Corey Hertzog may also be given their moment to show what they can do on the big stage if the teams is to be successful going forward.

The Red Bulls have shown in the last two games they can not only be winners, but can be convincing winners. Whether they can do so in November remains to be seen, but given the wealth of talent this club now possesses, it is really a case of MLS Cup or bust.

New York City loves a winning team and if this team is ever going to crack the column inches normally reserved for its nine other major professional sports teams, a championship is a must.

2011 may be the year.

17 years and no cups would now be simply unacceptable.

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WASHINGTON—The New York Red Bulls have outscored their opponents 7-0 over their last two games. After only producing two goals in the first four games of the 2011 MLS season, the Red Bulls for the second consecutive game have shut out their opponent.

Playing on the road, the New York Red Bulls (3-1-2) regained the Eastern Conference lead as they decimated four-time champion, D.C. United 4-0 in convincing fashion.

Excellent ball movement combined by solid defense and clutch goal keeping have helped reinforce the belief that the Red Bulls seriously contend for the 2011 MLS Cup.

For the second consecutive game, Thierry Henry has silenced his critics with a double-goal performance against D.C. United.

By scoring a header in the 12th minute of the game from a nice cross from midfielder Jan Gunnar Soli and later again in the 38th minute, Henry has registered three goals in his last two games.

Joining Thierry Henry's scoring explosion has been Jan Gunnar Solli who recorded a hat-trick with three assists of his own. Two of his three assists against D.C. United contributed to both Henry's goals.

In addition to his double-goal performance, Henry also added an assist when he beautifully lobbed the ball to Joel Lindpere. Taking advantage of the open space, Lindpere forced Clyde Simms to over-commit and moments later, Lindpere's scored first goal of the season in the 76th minute.

Despite leading comfortably with a 3-0 lead, Juan Agudelo added the exclamation point when he scored a fantastic goal in the 92nd minute of the game.

The manner that Agudelo scooped up the ball and batted in aggressively towards the back of the net further demonstrates the natural game awareness he possesses.

Next up for the Red Bulls is Sporting Kansas City who they will face on Saturday, April 30th at Red Bull Arena.

By returning home, Red Bulls fans will have the opportunity to see their team possibly have a 2-3 goal performance as they're beginning to click and run on all cylinders.

Cesar Diaz covers Soccer for LatinoSports.com. He's also a Columnist for USSoccerPlayers.com; your source for American Soccer news brought to you by members of the U.S. National Team. Easily accessible, you may reach Cesar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and at Twitter at @CoveringSoccer. 

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Major League Soccer continues to show signs of American isolationism.

I thought we left that back in the 1800s?

The league, in its 16th season, is at its highest point of popularity ever and is continuously expanding into new markets, with Seattle, Philadelphia, Portland, Vancouver, Montreal and New York all having introduced or began to prepare to introduce a new club since 2009.

As more cities become interested in joining the growing phenomenon, MLS has made a statement that truly irritates me.

Mark Abbott, the president of Major League Soccer, defiantly stated that the league has no intentions of exploring a promotion/relegation system.

"I don't see that in the future, certainly in any reasonable future for us," he said.

The American top flight has no desire to join with the rest of the world, where in most countries teams are set into single tables with the bottom three teams being relegated to the next lowest division.

In MLS, the current 18 teams are split into two conferences, East and West, with the top three teams in each conference being given automatic qualification to the Conference Semifinals and the next four teams, with all teams combined into a single table qualify. Therefore, 10 of the league's 18 teams—56 percent of the league—reaches the playoffs.

Other countries make it simple. The BEST team wins. A single table is used with the highest team in points being crowned champions. What is so difficult about that? Why does MLS have to act like soccer is so similar to other American sports?

One of the reasons that Abbott gives is that MLS is trying to promote regional rivalries and a single table takes away from that.

Oh it does?

Manchester Derby, Merseyside Derby, Milan Derby, the Old Firm, El Clasico, El Superclasico, Derby della Capitale, the Genoa Derby, North London Derby, West Ham-Millwall. Do I need to go any farther?

These rivalries are all still very strong in a single table, and while West Ham-Millwall has not been played since 2009, there is always the possibility of meetings in cup tournaments, such as the US Open Cup.

MLS has some great rivalries. Los Angeles-Chivas, Seattle-Philly. I'm sure Portland, Seattle and Vancouver will make for some great rivalries, and more. Besides, many of the top teams, such as Salt Lake, Los Angeles and Seattle, all play in proximity to each other, and rivalries are strong. Nothing would be affected by a single table. If anything, it would give a relegated team more incentive to climb back into the top flight.

The whole thing is just ridiculous, much like many things that MLS does.

There are 41 teams in the top three flights of American soccer. Why not mold those into two leagues with 20 in the top flight and 21 in the lower. Play single tables with promotion and relegation and implement the same system down the chain to the smaller divisions which have upwards of 64 teams.

Eventually, you have something like the England system: Premier League, Football Championship, Football League One, Football League Two, Football Conference, Conference North, Conference South, etc.

Where's the harm in that? It makes competition so much stronger! Everyone has something to play for, and you get rid of the need for this stupid playoff system where the best of the mediocre are allowed in. Ten of 18 teams? That's pathetic.

MLS needs to sack up and act like a real football league! This is not like basketball or baseball. Things do not work the same.

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Javier Morales rescued a draw for MLS side Real Salt Lake to earn themselves a 2-2 away draw with Monterrey in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League final at Technologico stadium in Mexico.

The Mexican side took the lead through Aldo de Nigris in the 18th minute, but Nat Borchers levelled for the MLS team in the 35th minute.

Monterrey, however, took the lead again with a goal from Humberto Suaza. When it looked like the match had been won, up popped Morales to score an equalizing goal with a few minutes left to play.

The return leg takes place on April 27th in Sandy, Utah. Should RSL win the tie, they will become the first MLS side to win the Champions League since the LA Galaxy managed it in the year 2000.

Real Salt Lake & Monterrey Share The Spoils in Champions League Final First Leg (match highlights)

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I know.

I watched the match. I saw the final score.

I realize that it wasn't actually a victory, but there is a saying in soccer that a draw on the road is as good as a win.

In most competition, the result of a draw is a win-win situation for both teams. You both get a point and you move on.

On a hot Wednesday night in Monterrey, Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake got a whole lot more than a point for the draw that they played to against one of the toughest teams in Mexico.

They gained the advantage in a two leg series and are headed home for the final.

Representing Major League Soccer for the first time in the history of the CONCACAF Champions League finals, Real Salt Lake played well enough to earn a 2-2 draw in the first leg of the tournament that determines the North American Champion and who wins the right to play in the FIFA Club World Cup later this year.

Wearing their alternate yellow jerseys for only the second time in the history of the franchise, the club from Utah started out strong by keeping possession and limiting chances for the Mexican side that was supposed to dominate this match at home.

Despite the possession that Real Salt Lake was able to keep, Monterrey, known as the "Rayados," was able to strike first.

In the 18' minute, Monterrey forward Aldo De Nigris, scored a goal on a play that was a disaster for Real Salt Lake in front of the goal. Following a missed attempt to clear the ball, it bounced all over the place, Nick Rimando dove and missed it and De Nigris put it in the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead. 

That lead did not hold for long.

On a goal that was not scored by him, Real Salt Lake forward Fabian Espindola gets a lot of credit for creating the opportunity. On what looked to be a routine ball headed to  Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco, Espindola ran at a full sprint from well outside the box and met the keeper at the ball.

The result of the collision was Espindola winning a corner kick when the ball was last touched by Orozco as it sailed past the endline.

In the 35' minute, the corner kick came in and was cleared out by Monterrey. Unfortunately for them, it was cleared to Will Johnson, who sent a perfect ball into Real Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers who was still up in the box for the corner kick. He was able to put his head on the ball and bury it wide of the keeper to tie the score.

Monterrey, not happy with the score tied at one, came out aggressively after halftime and maintained possession for most of the half.

They had multiple opportunities, including a one on one between Chilean striker Humberto Suazo and Real Salt Lake keeper Nick Rimando that sailed just wide and over the goal.

The Rayados were able to take a lead in 63' minute on a penalty kick that was a result of a hand ball in the box by Jamison Olave. Humberto Suazo was able to punch the kick into the corner of the net to gain the lead that many thought would hold up to be the final score.

Real Salt Lake, a team known for not giving up, and has a history of scoring dramatic goals late in games, was able to add one more.

In the 89' minute, a long ball was sent over the top to forward Arturo Alvarez, who had just entered the game. In his first series of touches, he settled the ball and sent an amazing pass from the sideline to his teammate Javier Morales at the top corner of the box.

The rest was all Morales.

Taking the pass, he put on a series of moves that left two defenders trailing the play. As he entered the box, and moved around the defender, he fired a strike to the far post that had just enough of an angle on it to beat the goalkeeper and even the score at two goals each.

After a few tense minutes of stoppage time, Real Salt Lake came away with a draw.

Following the match, Real Salt Lake head coach Jason Kreis talked about the result. "I think it's the best draw of my life" he said, "no doubt about it. I'm really, really proud of what the guys put into that, and I know it wasn't easy at all. It was difficult circumstances for us,"

Real Salt Lake now comes home at the halfway point of the two leg series tied in total goals, but with the very important two goals scored on the road.

Due to the aggregate scoring used in this tournament, the team who scores the most total goals in both legs of the series will be crowned the champion. The number of goals scored on the road is what is used as the first tie breaker.

In the second leg that will be played next Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, Real Salt Lake will be looking for a win in a stadium where they rarely lose.

With the two goals scored tonight it gives them a little bit of breathing room.

If they are able to win the match, or play to a draw of one goal or less for each team, they will advance. If they play to a draw and both teams score two or more goals, they will then play an overtime period followed by penalty kicks if necessary.

All of these confusing scenarios will not matter if Real Salt Lake can take care of business and get a win at home. One of the heroes of the night, Nat Borchers knows that just because they are coming home, the game will not be easy.

He stated that he was "Really happy with the way we responded both times after going a goal down. Now we have our work cut out for us at home,"

"I would think they're going to come to us with a extremely aggressive mentality knowing they have to win," added Kreis.

Each time that Real Salt Lake plays in this tournament, the game is the biggest in their history. Next Wednesday night will be no different. If Real Salt Lake is victorious, they will complete an already historic run for any Major League Soccer or any other team from the United States.

Soccer in this country will reach new heights, and the respect for American Soccer will skyrocket.

Notes: Lost in the excitement of the result for Real Salt Lake is a bit of bad news.

Captain Kyle Beckerman will have to watch the next match from the sidelines. He entered this match with a yellow card and earned another tonight on a questionable call. In this tournament, after accumulating two yellow cards, a player must sit for the next match.

Fortunately, depth is not a problem for Real Salt Lake, who have very talented players that can fill in at each position.

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