Making the playoffs in Major League Soccer for the first time has to be a priority for Toronto FC, but Tuesday the club will start another adventure in the CONCACAF Champions League. While success in the domestic competition is top of the list, progress in the Champions League would be a massive step forward for the club.
The CONCACAF Champions League is a collection of the top teams from the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football, and for Toronto FC to be able to represent Canada in the tournament is a big honour.
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For years, Canada has competed at international level against fellow countries in the CONCACAF region such as Mexico, Honduras and the United States, but the advent of the Champions League in its current format has led to a higher profile for the competition and an opportunity for Canadian club teams to test themselves against the best this part of the world has to offer.
Two years ago we saw the impact made when Montreal advanced through the group stage and played Santos Laguna over two legs in the Quarter Final, with the home match being played in front of over 50,000 people at the Olympic Stadium. Despite crashing out in dramatic fashion by conceding two late goals in Mexico, Montreal’s run in the tournament did wonders for the profile on Canadian club soccer.
Now after the disappointment of losing in the Preliminary Round against Puerto Rico Islanders last year, Toronto FC will hope to progress past Motagua of Honduras and fly the flag for Canada in the Group A of the Champions League where they would face Arabe Unido of Panama, reigning MLS Champions Real Salt Lake and the winners of the match between Mexico’s Cruz Azul and San Francisco of Panama.
Progress would not only create history for this club and help get further recognition for the Canadian game, but it would also be a big boost for Major League Soccer. Historically the Champions League has been dominated by teams from Mexico, but for MLS to continue gaining in stature through the CONCACAF region and around the world, it is important that teams from the league show they can compete at the highest level alongside the best club teams.
Columbus Crew fell to Mexican opponents Toluca in the Quarter Finals of the 2009/10 tournament and the Supporters Shield winners are one of five MLS teams in this year’s competition. The Crew and TFC are joined by Salt Lake, Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders to make up the North American contingent.
A limited squad size and a salary cap makes it difficult for teams from MLS to compete with the top clubs in CONCACAF, but MLS Commissioner Don Garber is well aware of the importance of the tournament and knows that progress has to be made to close the gap. Maybe this will be the year when we see an MLS team lift the Champions League trophy.
Toronto v. Motagual will be shown live on GOL TV Canada in high definition on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Luke Wileman will bring you the play-by-play alongside former Canadian national team captain, Jason deVos, who will provide analysis.
On Rogers HD channel 501 (SD 428)
On Bell HD channel 1412 (SD 404)
On Cogeco SD channel 122
Please call your service provider for other listings or refer to this channel guide.
We will also carry a live stream of the match on TorontoFC.ca for our Canadian audience.
A limited number of tickets are still available. Click here to buy or call 416-360-GOAL (4625).
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