Toronto FC Will Face Chivas of Guadalajara in CONCACAF Champions League Final

The Toronto FC saw the club advance to the finals in the CONCACAF Champions League final last night after an early goal by TFC’s Jonathan Osorio against Club America. At closing the two were tied 1-1 but Toronto’s semifinal aggregate score gave them the green light to advance.

This will be Toronto’s first appearance in a final with the CONCACAF Champions League and will now face Mexico’s Chivas of Guadalajara, Mexico, for the title. Chivas had earned this spot in the final on Tuesday after scoreless match against the New York Bulls but earned a 1-0 aggregate win.

TFC started last night’s game using the identical lineup used in its win last week. Missing substitutes were Justin Morrow, Chris Mavinga and Victor Vazquez. This became an issue after Jozy Altidore went out with an injury to his ankle but was substituted with Tosaint Ricketts.

That turned out to be a good move as it was Rickets who sent a pass to Jonathan Osorio who scored at the eleven minute mark to give Toronto its first goal and a 1-0 lead. For Osorio, it was his 3rd goal on the tournament.

The first of two legs in the CONCACAF Champions League Final will get underway next Tuesday, the 17th with the second leg played on the 24th. How well TFC will do will be seen but it is a safe bet that many will be rooting for the team, one that has seen its rate of success over the last few years increase exponentially, and that will not be amiss by soccer betting sites who are taking action on the Champions League Final.

Toronto FC

Eriq Zavaleta, a defender for Toronto, appeared to score on his own net to tie the game but a flag was raised by the assistant referee for an offside call. This lead to the crows not being pleased and the catcalls of displeasure was loud and clear after the goal was overturned.

Alex Bono, the goalkeeper for Toronto FC, made an outstanding save during the 27th-minute mark of the first half managing to get his hand on the ball and sending it wide after Alex Ibarra from Club America sent a header barreling towards the goal. A mere five minutes later it was Bono again who made a big save on a close call from Bruno Valdez.

It seemed it the night belonged to Bono as he made two additional big saves to help Toronto. One of those came at the 63-minute mark in what saw Bono reacting to a strike by Club America’s Alejandro Diaz jumping high to push the ball over the post. A charge by Club America in the 77th minute also saw Bono saving the day yet against proving to be a key asset for TFC last night.

The difference for TFC was Michael Bradley, the team captain, who as the game moved on moved back to help with defence whenever possible and the difference was felt when he helped put a stop to a breakaway by Club America’s Alejandro Díaz.

At the 84th minute of play Club America was awarded a free kick but the attempt by Agustin Marchesín failed to make it past the wall of TFC defenders. However, Club America managed to tie up the game during injury time with a penalty kick, but it was not enough to earn the win.