Toronto FC display passion to advance in Champions League

Toronto FC have gone on to stun us all again. In an absolutely brilliant team effort, the Reds walked out of the Monterrey Metropolitan with a 3-2 defeat to Tigres, but ultimately advanced in the Champions League.

What more is there to say about Toronto FC’s run in the Champions League? Most supporters should know the complete importance of advancing in the tournament. The Reds have taken the importance of the competition and displayed it on the pitch.

Before we begin our recap, this fixture felt like a REAL football contest. The Estadio Universitario is enormous in size, and the ground was packed. Supporters were chanting and the lights reflected off the pitch beautifully, to show just how important this fixture was.

The reason for saying this is that MLS still has a long way to go. On a night that should be celebrated with joy, it should also come with a small reminder of just how amazing the game can be.

Both squads felt the incredible vibes all over the pitch early in the contest. Sebastian Giovinco showed just how great he was, by controlling the ball for a good 30 seconds and making the Tigres back-line look a bit silly as they went in for a tackle.

A lot of long balls were played by both sides, but nobody really claimed an advantage from them. Drew Moor did an excellent job defending the balls that came in from the halfway mark of the pitch.

Tigres really had control of the fixture as soon as the 10th minute passed. However, a majority of crosses from Javier Aquino went sailing over the rest of the UANL central attack.

The momentum from the Mexican side eventually saw Eriq Zavaleta make a huge error when defending Andre Gignac. Gignac centered a ball that created a whole mess in front of the Toronto net, which luckily was shut down as Moor cleared.

The long-ball from the centre of the park was heavily used by Tigres in the opening half. Oddly enough, the tactic seemed to put the momentum in the home side’s hands as they created pressure, specifically on Moor.

Alex Bono had to come up big with a number of saves in the opening frame. A shot deflected off Moor in stoppage-time that gave the Reds some concern, but the former Syracuse man was there to shut it down.

Chances continually went back-and-forth, so much so that someone who didn’t catch the contest would have a hard time believing it ended 3-2.

TFC were the first to capitalize though. Jonathan Osorio played some one-two magic with Giovinco, which sent the Italian in towards goal. The Atomic Ant’s pass deflected off Rafael Carioca and into the net for an own-goal, and a Toronto lead.

Dangerous attacker Eduardo Vargas then tied the contest up as his header just beat Bono to the left.

Just moments after, Giovinco added to his collection of astonishing free-kicks as he sent another one off the bar and in. We really can’t stress the importance of Giovinco’s calibre on this football club.

Tigres had to score three goals at this point, which was really impossible to accomplish with 10 minutes left on the clock. Gignac scored two goals; one off a tap-in and another on a penalty, but still, it wasn’t enough to get the job done.

Man of the Match

At this point, this category could really be eliminated. Apologies for the redundancy each week, but Giovinco really has been doing it all.

A dazzling could-be assist that turned into a crucial goal, and another jaw-dropping free-kick. When does it end for the 31-year-old? Never; hopefully he continues for a very long time.

Key Stats

Toronto FC

• Three shots!
• 35 percent possession
• 15 fouls
• Key Player: Easy, Giovinco

Tigres

• 19 shots
• Eight shots on target
• 65 percent possession
• Key Player: Gignac tried to get his team back in it with two goals

TFC Subs: Clint Irwin, Nick Hagglund, Victor Vazquez, Ager Aketxe, Jordan Hamilton, Nicolas Hasler, Auro.

Champions League Updates

The New York Red Bulls came up big at home to defeat Tijuana 3-1, which made it five goals in total for New York. At the moment, two MLS clubs in TFC and the Red Bulls have made it to the semi-finals.

Club America looks certain to make it through, and they’ll likely be the Reds’ next opponent. The Seattle Sounders lead by a goal over Guadalarjara which only creates a critical second leg.

Here’s what the table looks like at the moment:

Quarter Finals

• America 4-0 Tauro (second leg to be played)
• Sounders 1-0 Guadalarjara (second leg to be played)
• Toronto FC 4-4 Tigres (TFC advanced)
• New York Red Bulls 5-1 Tijuana (New York advanced)

What’s next for the Reds?

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TFC still have some work to do domestically. Their derby with the Montreal Impact is next and it’s away from BMO Field. However, Montreal have dropped their first two MLS contests and sit at the bottom of the table.

As for the Champions League, America is most likely next. Tauro is surely done with four goals needed to get back to level.

Toronto get a lot of time before the next CL contest. Some action to catch up in MLS should get them well prepared for what could come next in the Champions League.

Stay tuned, and as always, don’t think about getting your TFC coverage anywhere else other than Tip of the Tower.

Next: TFC go from strength to strength

What were your main takeaways from the second leg? Do Toronto FC have what it takes to finish the job in the Champions League? Share your thoughts in the comments below.