Toronto Football Club (CONCACAF Champions League)

Toronto Football Club – Game 1

Leg 1 in Commerce City, Colorado at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

Toronto FC wins 2-0 in Commerce City, Colorado

Toronto FC comes out of the coldest game in MLS history with a convincing 2-0 win against the Colorado Rapids. It was -13 degrees in Commerce City, Colorado and felt like -19 degrees according to the weather forecast today.

The first half both teams were feeling each other out. Both teams were not sharp as both were still in preseason. TFC played the better half but Badji for Colorado had the best chance of the half, but was stopped by Bono who stood his ground.

Toronto took over in the second half with a glorious header from Jonathan Osorio that was assisted by a cross by Sebastian Giovinco. Later on we see one of TFC’s two confirmed signings Auro Jr. who gave a half volley assist to Giovinco to kick into the net to make it 2-0 TFC.

The hero of TFC in the playoffs Jozy Altidore missed a couple of shots, including a glorious chance a few minutes before Giovinco scored.

There are three yellow cards shown in the match. Two of them to Jack Price and Castillo of Colorado. The unfortunate and controversial yellow card was given to Michael Bradley who was penalized for time wasting. If he gets a yellow card in the next game he will not be in the first game of the quarterfinals (if TFC makes it that far) of the CONCACAF Champions League.

TFC is in an excellent position to go to the quarterfinals but one cannot rest on their laurels. Montreal Impact fans may remember the time their team was leading after a 2-0 first leg home win at Olympic Stadium before losing 5-2 to Santos Laguna at Estadio Corona to eliminate the Impact from the 2008-2009 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.

The second and final leg of the TFC – Colorado Rapids series will be at BMO Field in Toronto on Tuesday February 27, 2018.

                                                                    Colorado Rapids - MLS team founded in 1996

Toronto Football Club - Game 2

Leg 2 in Toronto, Ontario at BMO Field

Toronto FC wins 2 leg series against the Colorado Rapids

TFC did not have the best of nights today. This was especially true in the first half. They were a bit too methodical with their passing. TFC missed some chances with Altidore and Giovinco twice missing big scoring opportunities. The biggest one though went to Colorado Rapids player Badji but Alex Bono was there for the save.

Now in the second half I felt TFC played well. Colorado’s goalkeeper MacMath saved Giovinco’s shot in the 56^th minute, but the closest TFC got to scoring a goal was in the 83^rd minute when MacMath made a miraculous save.

When the first leg happened and the Rapids were losing this series 2-0, Colorado’s head coach Anthony Hudson said or hinted that the game as preseason. However, I did not expect him to say the same thing after they lost the two leg series against TFC. The team just lost a chance to win a trophy in the CONCACAF Champions and he says it is a preseason is a bit bizarre to me. Although I see his point of view that his performance as head coach will be determined by MLS and not the CONCACAF Champions League. Obviously the players from Colorado cared about this game though as each chance they missed they showed some sense of disappointment. The Rapids also showed desperation with a reckless tackle to Alex Bono by Badji from Colorado. The weirdest tackle I saw was Kortne Ford’s rugby tackle on Giovinco that warranted a yellow card for Ford.

The biggest test for Toronto FC will be against TIGRES UANL. Tigres UANL made it to the CONCACAF Champions League final last time including a two leg win against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. They are seen by many as the favourite even among Mexican sides to win the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.

TFC though will be thinking about their MLS home opener though against their Trillium Cup Rivals and Eastern Conference Final opponents from last year Columbus Crew SC. The match will take place at BMO Field in Saturday, March 3rd. 

                                                                                     Toronto FC - Founded in 2006

Toronto Football Club - Game 3

Leg 1 in Toronto, Ontario at BMO Field

Toronto FC wins key home leg against Tigres UANL

TFC struggled in the first 15-20 minutes of the game although they had a chance in the 7th minute with Justin Morrow. After that TFC started to dominate the game including a great chance for Giovinco in the first half.

The second half was a really great and entertaining half where TFC had several chances to score. Altidore and Osorio each missed one glorious chance to score in the second half of the game.

Tigres UANL scored first with Eduardo Vargos in the 52nd minute. TFC scored with Jozy Altidore's sneaky kick in the 60th minute to tie the game 1-1. It stayed that way until Jonathan Osorio scored an incredible backfoot to put his team ahead 2-1 against Tigres UANL.

Let's not forget Mavinga's goal sliding tackle that kept the game 2-1, which ended up being the final result at BMO Field.

                                                                                         Toronto FC (Founded in 2006) 

Toronto Football Club – Game 4

Leg 2 in Estadio Universitario at Monterrey, Mexico

TFC Pulls Upset!!! They advance to the Semi-Finals to face Club America

Toronto FC played very well today. They defended extremely well in the first twenty to twenty-five minutes, not allowing any real chances for TIGRES UANL until late in the first half.

Chris Mavinga is my player of the match today. He played extremely well with big tackles that kept Tigres UANL off the score sheet while he was on the field. Unfortunately, in the 61^st minute Mavinga had to be subbed out as he was injured in the second half.

The second half was amazing. Giovinco’s attempted pass to Altidore hit a Tigres UANL player and went into the net. Eduardo Vargas responded with a header a few minutes later and it was a 1-1 game.

Then in the 74^th minute Giovinco was fouled and got a free kick. His kick was absolute perfection. The goalie might have been able to save it, but he did not expect how much the ball would dip into his own net.

TFC were in a perfect position as TFC led the aggregate 4-2 with one more road goal than TIGRES UANL. Tigres UANL then started to come wave after wave to try and catch up. Tigres UANL’s best player Gignac scored an easy goal near the goalie has Nick Hagglund had trouble finding the ball. Tigres UANL won the game when Gignac got a controversial penalty shot when the ball hit Gregory Van der Wiels hand. However, TFC had more road goals than Tigres UANL and now face Club America.

Club America thrased Tauro FC in aggregate over two legs with a 7-1 win (Club America won 4-0 in Panama City, Panama and then won 3-1 in Mexico City, Mexico). While everyone said that Tigres UANL is the best Mexico has to offer but I think Club America is better. They are a team that can beat up a team even on the road when the Montreal Impact blew up in the second half and gave Club America the championship in the second leg at the 2015 CONCACAF Champions League in Olympic Stadium, Montreal. 

TFC’s focus will now turn to the MLS Season as they play on March, 17^th at Stade Saputo in Montreal and then face Real Salt Lake at BMO Field in Toronto on Friday, March 30^th. 

                                                   
                                                                                   Tigres UANL - Founded in 1960

Toronto Football Club - Game 5

Leg 1 at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TFC Gets Impressive 3-1 in a Contested Affair

Toronto FC had a terrific game today. They also had a lot of possession before conceding the possession the last 30 minutes of the game when they were winning 3-1.

With what some fans may consider a controversial penalty. Giovinco converted the penalty kick making it 1-0 TFC. Club America’s individual brilliance by Andreas Ibarguen gave Club America its only goal of the game to make it level 1-1.

TFC though are not done and Giovinco’s pass to Altidore made it 2-1 TFC over Club America at half time.

The second half TFC probably created the goal of the year when 8-11 passes were created where TFC scored the goal to make it 3-1 TFC. Marky Delgado's pass to Auro Jr. and then Auro's pass into the box was perfect but so was Ashtone Morgan’s diving shot to put TFC up 3-1. Before giving possession to Club America in the last thirty minutes of the game.

Club America really did not have that many chances to score in the game. TFC goalkeeper Alex Bono made a terrific save on Ibarguen in the 41^st minute and the goal Ibarguen scored TFC did a good job on defense.

There were many yellow cards for both teams including two to Jonathan Osorio and Sebastian Giovinco.

Giovinco and Altidore have now been involved in 8 of the 9 goals for TFC showing how important they are to TFC’s success. However, we should also talk about Morgan who becomes the second Canadian in the CONCACAF Champions League to score a goal (after Jonathan Osorio). This shows that the money that TFC spent in their academy and now their reserve team is really starting to pay off. And maybe with some luck TFC will be in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

There was a lot of controversy today. Osorio said he was elbowed by the Club America’s assistant head coach, Club America manager Miguel Herrera states that the Toronto Police assaulted three Club America players at half time.

There was another conflict at the tunnel. It happened last year also when TFC faced the Red Bulls in leg 2 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals. Maybe TFC can look at why these confrontations are happening so frequently.  

   

The other controversial event that happened before the game. Miguel Herrera, manager of Club America said that MLS is at a level below LIGA MX. He bluntly stated that LIGA MX sides are more comparable to European teams and that MLS is at a level below LIGA MX.

It may be more of him being scared that MLS is approaching LIGA MX’s level.

This is because Miguel Herrera praised Tauro F.C. (pro club in Panama who they faced in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals) and the Panama league. He said that Panama has become a World Cup country and their league has become quite good. This comes from him even though they destroyed Tauro F.C. 7-1 in aggregate.

For TFC since they moved their home game at BMO Field against DC United from April 7th to June 13th, can just focus on Club America which will be on April 10th at Estadio Azteca. TFC will then return to MLS play at Dick's Sporting Goods Park at Commerce City, Colorado to face their former round of 16 CONCACAF Champions League opponents the Colorado Rapids.     

                                                                                            Toronto FC - Founded in 2006

Toronto Football Club - Game 6

Leg 2 at Estadio Azteco in Mexico City, Mexico

Alex Bono and Jonathan Osorio the Heroes of Leg 2 against Club America

Toronto FC played very well today especially in the second half.

Club America dominated possession in the first half. Unfortunately for TFC Jozy Altidore got injured in the 5th or 6th minute, which meant Tosaint Ricketts was brought into the field for TFC. 

A lot of the Club American players were preoccupied with Sebastian Giovinco who made a splendid pass to Edmonton native Tosaint Ricketts who should be given credit for chasing the ball as the Club America was forced to make a mistake and the ball was passed to Brampton native Jonathan Osorio to score and put TFC up 1-0. This was Osorio`s third goal in the tournament and Ricketts played a big part with the pass to Jonathan Osorio. 

Club America then began pressing TFC almost immediately to try to get a goal. There were three notable chances Club America had. The first one looked like an own goal for Eriq Zavaleta but the goal was waved off after a Club America player was shown to be offside on the play. 

Velazquez almost scored with a diving header but Alex Bono makes a terrific save to keep Club America from scoring. Oribe Peralta also almost scored as he beats Bono but narrowly misses the net to keep it 1-0 TFC at Estadio Azteca. 

Club America were getting a lot of fouls and some yellow cards as they became more desperate and frustrated as the game went on.

Club America would get another big chance to score in the first 10 minutes of the game where Oribe Peralta received the pass from Linez but bobbled the ball near the goal where Alex Bono was. 

TFC almost scored again when Jordan Hamilton, a substitute for Tosaint Ricketts and Auro Jr, the substitute for Gregory Van Der Wiel connected. Hamilton gave a good cross for Hasler but he narrowly misses it over the net. 

Club America would finally get a goal at Estadio Azteca, but it was too little too late. In stoppage of time of the 90 minutes, Oribe Peralta went down with a tackle from Michael within the penalty box and Arabe converts the penalty kick to make it 1-1. However, that was the last play of the game as Club America loses the aggregate 4-2 to TFC. 

What should not be forgotten is the defensive mastery at Estadio Azteca for TFC. Ashtone Morgan, Drew Moore, Eriq Zavaleta, and even Auro Jr., and Marky Delgado played good defense to prevent Club America from scoring with key tackles and clearances out of their penalty box.  

TFC did this without the services of Chris Mavinga and Victor Vazquez. Victor Vazquez almost won MLS MVP of the year last year and Chris Mavinga who I felt was the hero against Tigres UANL with goal-preventing tackles. They also did it without MLS Cup hero Jozy Altidore for almost the whole game and Greg Van Der Wiel was substituted before the second half began. 

This was a big moment for TFC as their next CONCACAF Champions League opponent will be their last against Chivas Guadalajara. Chivas Guadalajara somehow made it to the final without conceding a goal in both legs against the New York Red Bulls. The New York Red Bulls had 20 shots on goal in their home leg (9 on them on target) against Chivas Guadalajara and still could not find a goal. Chivas Gualajara narrowly beats the New York Red Bulls 1-0 in aggregate. 

As strange as it is to say, the MLS side should be considered favourites against Chivas Guadalajara. TFC already defeated two Mexican teams (Club America and Tigres UANL) who are both in the top 4 currently in LIGA MX with 25 points right now. Guadalajara is fourth from the bottom with 15 points. 

TFC will face Chivas Guadalajara at BMO Field on Tuesday April 17th and then leg 2 on Wednesday April 25th at Estadio Akron against Chivas Guadalajara. Whoever wins this two leg series goes to the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates where the winning sides of each Confedeation - AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA, along with the winner of the UAE pro soccer league to go to a prestigious and exclusive 7 team tournament where the draw will be done in the 4th of September.  

TFC, though will turn their focus on Saturday. will face the Colorado Rapids Saturday April 14th at Dick`s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado where TFC`s CONCACAF Champions League run began. 

                                                                              

                                                                                     Club America - Founded in 1916

Toronto Football Club - Game 7

Leg 1 at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto FC’s missed chances, Guadalajara’s clutch scoring ends with disastrous result at BMO Field

TFC started this game by giving up a goal to Rodolfo Pizarro of Chivas Guadalajara 70 seconds within the game. The worst start TFC fans could have thought of, 0-1 to Chivas Guadalajara.

Chivas Guadalajara did not have any real chances but controlled much of the possession. 

The pass from Jozy Altidore passed it to Marky Delgado. Delgado passed it into the penalty box where Jonathan Osorio dove to put it in the net 1-1.

TFC dominated much of the first half after that but Jozy Altidore could not find the back of the net twice. Sebastian Giovinco also almost scored from his iconic free kick position but Jimenez of Chivas Guadalajara was up to the challenge. He game stays level at 1-1.

TFC straight of the gate almost scored as Sebastian Giovinco’s pass to Marky Delgado gave him an opportune chance to score. Instead Delgado’s shot sails narrowly wide and the game stays level.

Alex Bono made a huge save early in the second half from a shoot from Orbelan Pineda and then Chuy Gordinez’s shot was deflected by Eriq Zavaleta.

Nothing against Alex Bono who has played exceptionally well for TFC and was a big part of Toronto winning MLS Cup last year. However, he makes a mistake in the 71^st minute with a free kick and Pulido from Guadalajara capitalizes, 1-2 Chivas Guadalajara. Sebastian Giovinco almost got a penalty kick as he was taken down within the penalty box.

Pulido also made a good defensive move by stealing the ball from TFC’s Drew Moore before he could shoot in the 66^th minute.

Unfortunately for TFC that was it for them. Chivas Guadalajara after that second goal were clicking in all cylinders and almost scored a third goal before time expired.

At the end of the game, TFC’s defense were not good enough and chances were left begging. They have to play the game of their lives on Wednesday April 25^th if they want to win the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League.

TFC will have to win by an aggregate of either 3 ways: to win by a differential of 2 or more goals OR win by a differential of one bigger than 1-2. For example 2-3 or 3-4 TFC win gets them the championship. OR win the game 1-2 and win the CONCACAF Champions League with penalty kicks.

It is not impossible but it is going to be an uphill battle at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on Wednesday March 25th. 

TFC though will turn its attention to MLS action. They will face the Houston Dynamos at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday March 21st. TFC are going to put a lot of their TFC II players in this game as their priority right now is winning the CONCACAF Champions League and earn a berth in the highly exclusive FIFA Club World Cup in UAE taking place in December 2018. TFC then will close the month with a Saturday April 28th match at home in BMO Field against the Chicago Fire.

           Toronto FC - Founded in 2006

Toronto Football Club - Game 8

Leg 2 at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Toronto FC wins game but lose championship in penalties in Guadalajara

TFC were a shot or mistake free away from winning the CONCACAF Champions League. TFC tied the series 3-3 before losing on penalties 2-4 to Guadalajara.

Let us start with the injuries. All of TFC`s centre back line were injured as Drew Moore suffered an injury during practice.

As a result Michael Bradley was forced to more of a defensive role, people complained a lot that he had a bad game, but I think he did ok today. He took a position because of a depleted roster.

TFC started the game with the better chances, however Chivas comes up with the first goal of the game. Pizarro`s sneaky pass to Pineda gave Chivas Guadalajara a 0-1 lead and a 1-3 leg lead over TFC.

Nicolas Hassler really did well battling through Chivas Guadalajara defenders before giving an excellent pass to Jozy Altidore for the simple but critical goal for TFC 2-3 Chivas Guadalajara.

Sebastian Giovinco was quiet for most of the first half, but getting a yellow card seemed to spur something inside Giovinco. A few minutes later he scores with a shot that goes back into corner of the net.

TFC started the second half as the fresher team including a great chance for Victor Vazquez to score. However, after 10 minutes into the half Chivas Guadalajara was starting to take control of the game.

Chivas Guadalajara almost scored during that time when their player beat Alex Bono but hit the post.

After that TFC started to mount the chances though as Giovinco and Hamilton almost scored. Although, their biggest chance was Giovinco`s terrific pass to Marky Delgado, which Delgado shot over the net.

That was really the last chance TFC had to win the CONCACAF Champions League. Chivas unlike TFC felt comfortable and confident taking the penalties and made all four of their shots. Marky Delgado and ÉÉÉ made their penalties but Jonathan Osorio hit the post and Michael Bradley did a David Beckham (2004 penalty shot in the quarterfinals against Portugal) and missed the net completely, which gave Chivas Guadalajara the CONCACAF Champions League.

It is a bitter feeling to swallow as a TFC fan, something I did not feel since we lost in the MLS Cup 2016 Final against the Seattle Sounders FC in penalties.

What worries me a bit more now is that TFC sacrificed a lot for this CONCACAF Champions League. They gave up 6 points away to Colorado and Houston and now sit bottom in the still relatively new season in the MLS season. They will play against the Chicago Fire on Saturday April 28^th and then play at BMO Field on Friday May 4^th against the Philadelphia Union and on Wednesday May 9^th in Toronto against the Seattle Sounders FC.

TFC could come back and win the CONCACAF Champions League next year just like how TFC won the 2017 MLS Cup Final after losing the previous year in excruciating fashion. Saying that I do not think Club America or any Mexican team is going to underestimate TFC like they did this year. Furthermore, TFC will still need to win the Amway Canadian Championship that takes place in a few months.

TFCs second leg final at Estadio Akron with Chivas Guadalajara was shown at Maple Leafs Square (the official name and is what Leafs fans call it) or as Jurassic Park (the unofficial name that Raptors fans call it) along with the Leafs and the Raptors.

The Raptors won game 5 because of Delon Wrights fourth quarter brilliance, and the Leafs collapsed in Boston against the Bruins in game 7 at TD Garden in the 3^rd period, kind of reminds me of 2013.

However, those two games failed in comparison to the magnitude of the TFC-Chivas Guadalajara final and unfortunately for TFC they could not grasp the huge opportunity. Winning the CCL in front of thousands of people at Maple Leafs Square (an extremely rare opportunity) was missed by the most narrow of margins.  

                                                                           Club Deportivo Guadalajara - Founded in 1906