Photo by Russ Isabella/USA TODAY Sports

By SBI SOCCER

Real Salt Lake may not have won Tuesday in El Salvador, but it took one huge step toward securing advancement in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Santa Tecla could not find a way to break down or go around Real Salt Lake, and the hosts were forced into a 0-0 draw with RSL.

With the result, the MLS side now tops Group G but remains level on points, four, with Municipal, which Real Salt Lake will play at home in its final group stage game.

Midfielder Luke Mulholland was the closest for either side to scoring the opening goal in the first 45 minutes of action. Olmes Garcia sent a beautiful cross over the back line and put Mulholland through on goal, but the Englishman took a bad touch and sent his shot sailing over the crossbar.

Late into the second half, midfielder John Sterzer was shown his second yellow card of the game and subsequently shown a red card. Forced to play a man down, Real Salt Lake bunkered and held onto the tie.

Real Salt Lakes will now wait until Sept. 24 for its second meeting with Santa Tecla.

Here are highlights from the scoreless draw in El Salvador:

What do you think about RSL’s performance? Think it is still the favorite to advance in its group?

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