The impact of Tuesday night's 2-1 win over Cruz Azul in the opening game of Champions League Group A was felt by Toronto FC fans all over the globe. Torontonians live for big events and for its soccer team this was the biggest. Those who were in attendance at BMO Field witnessed in person a first half that's probably the best 45 minutes of football the club has ever played.
On Wednesday, Director of Soccer Mo Johnston shared that very opinion as a radio guest on The FAN 590, but went further to
praise the supporters
that created an atomosphere which surpassed even the Major League Soccer matches that made BMO Field famous.
A sense of occasion filled the air from the outset of this match. The suspicion that something unique was in the cards was confirmed when Martin Saric headed the Reds ahead at the third minute. The confidence on the pitch and in the stands for everyone in red only grew from their on way to a victory against one of the biggest clubs in the Americas that will always be remembered by those who were a part of it.
Fans shared with us via our social network sites on Facebook and Twitter
what the game meant to them. Here's a small sample of how they viewed it for 90'+ on these two platforms.
Anticipation On Twitter
RickyBlayney - First ever CONCACAF champions league group game for @torontofc tonight agsinst mexican outfit Cruz Azul. Ticket printed. Cant wait!
semuabangsa- Those who love me & underdogs & stuff of legends: please send support & victory vibes to @TorontoFC for their CL match v #CruzAzul tonight!
cjfiset - @torontofc v Cruz Azul tonight. I'm trying to forget the fact that the Mexicans have won the CCL 5 times
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VIDEO: Saric strikes early.</p> |
Saric Scores On Facebook
Shareef:What a start!!!
Geoffrey: 1-0 already wow were awesome
Jenn:I have to watch in Spanish but hell! I know what GOL means! Wooooooo TFC!!!!
Mista Makes It 2-0 TFC
nicopop - CONCACAF @torontofc > MLS @torontofc. An exciting first half AND people are wearing wrestling masks and sombreros! #TFC 2-0 Cruz Azul
northwesternlad- What a great half from @TorontoFC... what great work on the ball & control - 2-0 over Cruz Azul so far #ccl
jollybenjabi - Its official the skies bleed red! God loves @torontofc COME ON YOU REDS! http://tweetphoto.com/39683856
Max: Amazing first half!! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G ! ! !
Reds Take Maximum Points
Roger: What a game! Best this year..The pride of Toronto!!
Brad: Way to play for the badge and the fans!!!
Ryan: it was a great game and congrads to the guys!! im an epl follower and am trying to get into following mls as well and toronto fc is making it pretty easy for me. good job tonight!
Juan Carlos: Congratulations TFC !!! 1st step is done !!! ... I wanna believe !!! ... awaiting for your visit to Mexico City !!! love it !!!
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VIDEO: Mista's cultured left foot.</p> |
The Morning After
jfo007 - Many doubted soccer's viability in TO+Canada pre- @TorontoFC. Wins like last nite vs Cruz Azul show what some support can do. Congrats! #ccl
AdrianBradbury- Still having a hard time believing what I witnessed at BMO last night. Dare I say the best 45 min in club history? Well earned @torontofc
jermotley- Morning all. Who saw @torontofc beat Cruz Azul last night? Easily the biggest win in club history, still can't believe it!
Amber:Have the tickets for the next Concacaf game on September 28th gone on sale yet?
There were other Tweets and Facebook comments from concerned and some downright angry supporters about BMO Field's attendance of 16,862 last night, as anything short of 20,000 seems unacceptable to many. Most of those comments were left out due to their 'colourful' nature. Toronto supporters have high expectations and it seems that extends from the pitch to the stands.
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Supporters that didn't get a chance to take part in the first Champions League group stage triumph can still set their sights on the two remaining BMO Field dates. With the Reds on the road for the next three rounds of Group A matches, the final two home games against Real Salt Lake on September 28 and Arabe Unido on October 19 could make or break the prospects of advancing to the quarterfinals. I still believe nine points or more will get the Reds through to the Championship round and now a third of the way there, they will need the home support in those two games.
General public sale for remaining CCL dates go on sale Monday. Presale opportunities for others start this week. Stay tuned to our Facebook, Twitter and of course TorontoFC.ca pages for more details.
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