Toronto FC advance to the Champions League Final

Toronto FC continue to amaze, as a 1-1 draw against Club America in Mexico was enough to send them through to the Champions League final.

The Reds still have it. Despite what their MLS record says, Toronto FC are now just one game away from adding more silverware to the trophy cabinet.

After a dominant 3-1 victory at BMO Field that was led by Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, all Toronto needed was a draw to advance. A draw is what the North got, after a 1-1 tie in Mexico City.

Skipping ahead to the 12th minute, Jonathan Osorio gave another example of why he should be a regular in Greg Vanney’s lineup.

Auro, who has done his fair share to turn heads already in the campaign, started the action with a one-two-three pass between him, Marky Delgado and eventually Tosaint Ricketts, who squared for Osorio to tap into the empty net.

11' - Jonathan Osorio scores to put #TFC up 1-0 at #EstadioAzteca!#TFCLive | #AMEvTOR | 1-0 pic.twitter.com/GPXyQI4KaV
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 11, 2018

The momentum only lasted a matter of minutes, as a cross from the Mexican side met the head of Bruno Valdez. The defender banked it off of Eriq Zavaleta and into the Reds’ net, but it turns out that the 25-year-old was in an offside position.

Alex Bono received some doubt domestically as Clint Irwin put on a decent performance against Real Salt Lake. However, an inhuman save from the Syracuse graduate from a Martin Hex powerful header was enough to vanquish that doubt.

HOW?? An out-of-this-world save from @Alex25Bono to keep the hosts off the board#TFCLive | #AMEvTOR | #SCCL2018
pic.twitter.com/XsGPbBwyQE
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) April 11, 2018

More heroics came from the 23-year-old, as another header from substitute Alejandro Liceaga was outstandingly tipped over the bar. The top of Bono’s fingertips literally prevented a goal here.

Michael Bradley made an unusual decision by his standards, to tackle Oribe Peralta in the box. The penalty was sent home by Mateus Unibe, but it was too little, too late for the Estadio Azteca to come back in the tie.

Man of the Match

No doubt that Bono will receive the honor from this fixture.

There was a huge period of time between each leg for the young keeper to lose focus of what’s ahead. However, Bono stayed on his toes throughout the 90 minutes to make seven miracle saves.

This has to help the confidence of the American. Domestic play hasn’t been a strong suite for Bono thus far, but his play in this one shows he can definitely perform, concentrate and compete.

Key Stats

Toronto FC

Eight shots
Two shots on target
34 percent possession
Key Player: Alex Bono

Club America

29 shots
Seven shots on target
66 percent possession
Key Player: Renato Ibarra

Around the Champions League

Guadalajara, or Chivas, had the New York Red Bulls in a real stranglehold from the first leg. Despite some fight back from New York in the second leg, Chivas was still able to escape and as a result, will face TFC in the final.

Guadalajara 1-0 New York Red Bulls (First Leg)
Guadalajara 0-0 New York Red Bulls (Second Leg)

What’s next for the Reds?

Sure, it’s really nice to advance into another title situation. With playoffs coming for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors finishing out a strong NBA season, it’s good to see the Reds perform no matter the audience numbers at the moment.