Toronto FC continued its impressive run in the Concacaf Champions League, handing Club América a 3-1 defeat at BMO Field on Tuesday. Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore both scored for the MLS champions, who also got a goal from an unlikely source. There were few positives for Club America vs Toronto, but Andrés Ibargüen gave the Liga MX side an away goal to take back to Estadio Azteca for the second leg on April 10.
The conditions were not great for soccer, with the pitch in less-than-stellar shape. The match began with rain and temperatures in the mid 30s. Many of the Club América players sported cute neck scarves to keep warm.
Club América was missing French forward Jérémy Ménez and goalkeeper Oscar Jiménez to injury plus Darwin Quintero, who will get his chance to face Toronto FC soon enough after he was traded to Minnesota United.
When these two teams met in a friendly in February, Club América put 10 men in front of a Giovinco free kick and he still scored, though the Liga MX club won 6-3. On Tuesday, Giovinco had a much easier task with a simple penalty kick.
The key penalty came when Altidore played in Giovinco, who danced around the ball before dashing past Edson Álvarez, who took the Italian down in the box. Despite immediate protests (despite the fact it was a clear penalty), the referee pointed to the spot.
Here's a look at the foul on Giovinco that led to Toronto FC's penalty pic.twitter.com/eObRN1C94S
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) April 4, 2018
Giovinco, who had a penalty saved Friday by Nick Rimando, made no mistake to put Toronto FC ahead 1-0.
Giovinco puts it right down the middle for the early lead#TFCLive | #TORvAME pic.twitter.com/3ohTsMxmmP
— Toronto FC (@torontofc) April 4, 2018
But Club América scored a vital away goal in the 21st minute when Colombian midfielder Ibargüen dribbled through half of Toronto’s defense for an incredible solo effort.
Michael Bradley was absolutely useless defensively on that play, but you’ve got to give Ibargüen credit for the fantastic run for what may be the goal of the tournament. And in Bradley’s defense, he had a decent game aside from this moment.
It was Bradley’s USMNT teammate Altidore that gave Toronto a 2-1 lead just before halftime. The bulky forward took a delightful pass from Giovinco, made a quick cut to allow a defender to fly by and smashed a low shot into the back of the net.
The pass and the finish that put Toronto FC back in the lead! #SCCL2018 pic.twitter.com/M123UrKqQe
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) April 4, 2018
But the teams didn’t go quietly into halftime. Just like in last year’s playoffs against New York Red Bulls, Toronto and Club América mixed it up in the tunnel going into the locker room at the break.
Things did calm down but Toronto didn’t stop pouring forward. Despite leading, the Reds clearly wanted to take more than a one-goal lead back to the Azteca and Giovinco was a constant threat.
Toronto was rewarded in the 58th minute when, of all people, Ashtone Morgan surged into the box to reach a cross from Auro for a 3-1 lead. Morgan is a reserve left back who had only scored one goal in his career prior.
TFC is CRUISING pic.twitter.com/NyNPGXRgik
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) April 4, 2018
Alex Bono denied a great opportunity for Henry Martin in the 84th minute and TFC held on for the victory.
Crucial save by Alex Bono! Clever backheel by Oribe Peralta to play in Henry Martin, but Bono was there to preserve #TFC's 3-1 lead. #ClubAmerica #TFCLive #TORvAME #CCL #SCCL2018 #CCLFever pic.twitter.com/3APma7nHDT
— Jason Foster (@JogaBonito_USA) April 4, 2018
We'll see if Toronto FC can hold on to knock off another Liga MX side in the return leg next week.
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