FC Dallas has struck the opening blow in Group C of the CONCACAF Champions League.
The Texas club – Toronto FC’s MLS and now CCL group rival – beat Mexico’s Pumas UNAM 1-0 on Wednesday night to go atop the table.
The Reds will have a chance to match Dallas on Thursday night in Panama, taking on Tauro F.C. (8 p.m. ET on Setanta Canada and CONCACAF.com). Dallas visits Toronto next week (August 24) for another CCL away match for the Hoops, this time at BMO Field where they already registered an MLS win this season on July 20.
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<strong>VIDEO: Andy Iro ahead of CCL Thursday and Chicago Sunday.</strong> |
In Mexico City Wednesday night, Dallas’ speedy Honduras international winger Marvin Chavez scored at the 66th minute, pouncing on a rebound off the post after fullback Jair Benitez had rocked the woodwork from distance.
Head coach Schellas Hyndman fielded a strong squad for Dallas that became the first MLS team to win three points in Mexico from 25 attempts. Last season, Toronto drew Cruz Azul away in that country after beating them 2-1 at BMO Field in group play.
The distinction of being the first Mexican club to lose to an MLS side on home soil will not sit well with Pumas. The team received orders from the top to match the exploits of other Mexican champions in CCL, but manager Guillermo Vasquez had started a youthful squad, as promised, for the 2011 Clausura champion. Now playing from behind in Group C, Vasquez may rethink his strategy and set out to punish opponents in the remaining five group games.
For Toronto, a dangerous Pumas on the prowl makes getting points against Tauro Thursday and Dallas next week at BMO Field quite vital before facing the Mexicans.
The Dallas win, combined with MLS Cup champion Colorado’s 3-2 victory over Isidro Metapan on Wednesday puts another unique pressure on Toronto. All four U.S. MLS representatives – Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas and Colorado – have been victorious this week in CCL group stage openers.
Toronto, flying the Maple Leaf in CCL by winning the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, can keep MLS momentum going on Thursday in Panama in what will prove to be a tough encounter in the heat and hostility of Central America; along with the many expected play stoppages for interesting fouls that are akin to Latin American football.
The Reds must compete without two regular midfielders Thursday in suspended Torsten Frings (card accumulation) and cup-tied former Dallas man Eric Avila. Following this match Toronto flies out of Panama for Chicago to face the Fire in an MLS game Sunday, August 21 at 7 p.m. ET on GOL TV Canada.
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