MEXICO CITY – The 2018 season draws every closer, and the Reds are gearing up for their toughest season yet.

With the team in the midst of the second phase of their preseason tour, head coach Greg Vanney has put a premium on tactical nuance as Toronto FC prepare for the CONCACAF Champions League.

And what better way to prepare for the Colorado Rapids in the Round of 16 than with a trip to Mexico City, where the elevation (roughly 2,250 meters above sea level) should prove the perfect preparation for their Mile High opponents.

Not only are the conditions suited to test Toronto FC ahead of their Champions League quest, their stay in Mexico City allows the Reds to test themselves against top Mexican opposition. TFC will do just that, facing off three Liga MX sides in friendly matches.

First up, perennial powerhouse Club América.

“We’re looking to push our match fitness. We’re at altitude so that will be another challenge,” Vanney told TorontoFC.ca. “Tactically, we want to work on our relationships on the field and how we can tighten that up. It’s about getting match sharp, everyone understands what we’re trying to do. It will be good to integrate Gregory [van der Wiel] into the team and bring guys along.”

The match will be split into three 30-minute sessions, but Vanney stated he will be looking to push his starters physically as they go up against one of the top teams in the region.

Given the brevity of their offseason thanks to yet another MLS Cup run, the team is fit, says Vanney. But reps on the training ground and the weight room don’t replicate the kind of fitness required on the pitch, a factor not lost on Vanney.

“When you haven’t played a full 90 minutes in nearly two months, the game can feel long,” he admitted. “Now it’s a matter of being able to concentrate for the full 90, making sure the decision-making is sharp over the course of the match, proper game management. We’ll use this to get our legs under us, it’s not just about match fitness.”