Cruz Azul warmed up for its CONCACAF Champions League 'Group A' opening date at BMO Field with a 4-1 win over Pachuca on Saturday in the Mexican Apertura tournament. They will now travel to Canada to take on Toronto FC (Tuesday, 8 p.m. on
GOL TV Canada
) in what should be a spirited contest as the Reds are unbeaten in all competitive matches at home this season.
RELATED: Tickets for Toronto v. Cruz Azul
22-year old uncapped Mexico forward Javier Orozco scored twice – once in each half – for Cruz Azul, while Argentine Emanuel Villa and an own goal from Pachuca’s Raul Martinez helped Tuesday’s Toronto opponent jump out to a 4-0 start inside the hour.
[inline_node:4554]A 64th minute penalty kick goal from Edgar Benitez spoiled goalkeeper Jesus Corona’s bid for a clean sheet as the match finished 4-1. Benitez was allowed the spot kick after Cruz Azul defender Joel Huiqui brought down U.S. international and former Major League Soccer star Herculez Gomez inside the area.
These two teams met in the 2009-10 Champions League Final. Over two legs of that contest Pachuca won its fourth title by beating Cruz Azul by virtue of an away goal after the sides finished 2-2 on aggregate. Cruz Azul has won this trophy five times – all under its old format – and has made seven trips to the final.
In MLS news, Saturday’s action brought mixed results for Toronto’s playoff plight. The day started well for TFC with Colorado dropping points to Philadelphia in a 1-1 draw and Los Angeles taking a 1-0 win away from Red Bull Arena over New York.
RELATED: MLS East & West Standings
At this point the Reds remained alone in eighth place, two points behind Colorado and five adrift of New York. But San Jose’s 1-0 win over Kansas City pulled the Quakes even on 26 points with TFC. Toronto holds a head-to-head edge over San Jose which keeps the Reds in eighth place for now.
Two other results that could have long-term implications in the postseason picture are a 1-0 New England win over Houston and a 3-1 thumping of DC by Dallas. Steve Nicol’s New England seems poised for a late-season charge just as they made last year to reach MLS Cup Playoffs. Dallas meanwhile, is now unbeaten in 10 and move seven points clear of Toronto.
Better news arrived from Carson, where Chivas held Seattle to a scoreless draw. Toronto holds two games in hand over Seattle and sit three points back. The Sounders had marched into the Home Depot Center on four consecutive wins.
A glut of Champions League and MLS matches await Toronto in a busy schedule to the end of the season. Given their away form, pressure will mount on the Reds to maximize in the five remaining MLS home games, starting with next Saturday’s tilt against conference rival New York.
However, Reds won’t be thinking about that until Wednesday as a rampant Cruz Azul team and the Tuesday night CCL clash at BMO Field will be on the minds of players and supporters alike.
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