American soccer has always been sidelined on the greater global pitch. Sure, as a country, we make a decent showing at World Cups, but inevitably, we fizzle out where expected. The key to wider recognition is getting Major League Soccer on the same playing field as the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and Serie A.

Helping to increase American credibility is RSL’s advancement to the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League, where they will face Mexican powerhouse Monterrey. But winning this two-leg, aggregate-goal final is not only about the legitimacy that it will bring to the league; it also grants RSL passage to the FIFA Club World Cup scheduled to take place in Japan this December. It’s just fun to imagine RSL’s central midfield of Beckerman and Morales playing keep-away from some of the biggest names in the game like Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

CONCACAF Champions League Final: Real Salt Lake vs. Monterrey @ Rio Tinto Stadium, 9256 S. State, 801-727-2700, April 27, 8 p.m., $25. RealSaltLake.com