Toronto, Chivas into CONCACAF finale - CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
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| Getty Images |
- MLS side Toronto defeated Club America 4-2 on aggregate
- Liga MX outfit Chivas saw off New York Red Bulls 1-0 over two legs
- The final will be played over two legs: 17 April & 25 April
MLS outfit Toronto FC are into their maiden CONCACAF Champions League final after seeing off Club America in the semi-final, with the Canada-based team set to face Mexican side Chivas, who defeated New York Red Bulls in the final four. Both teams are two games away from reaching the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018.
Toronto went into the second leg in Mexico in a strong position, holding a 3-1 aggregate lead from last week's first leg. The Canadian side's commanding advantage was increased when Jonathan Osorio struck just 12 minutes into the match at the fabled Azteca Stadium. Tosaint Ricketts burst on to a wonderful lofted through ball from Sebastian Giovinco before unselfishly teeing up Osorio to tap home.
Club America, winners of two of the previous three editions of the tournament, applied pressure to get back into the tie but were met only by a string of saves by Toronto goalkeeper Alex Bono. The Liga MX side did level on the night, through a 90th-minute Mateus Uribe penalty, but it was too little, too late as Toronto celebrated becoming only the third MLS finalist in the Champions League era.
They will meet Club Deportivo Guadalajara, commonly known as Chivas, in the continental finale later this month after the Mexican outfit ground out a goalless draw against New York Red Bulls to progress with a 1-0 aggregate victory.
The second leg was particularly one-sided in favour of the hosts, with the MLS side failing to convert one of their 20 shots at the Chivas goal in order to level the tie. They went closest after 18 minutes, when Daniel Royer's teasing low ball from the right across the six yard box eluded his teammates coming in at the far post.
In the end, a goalkeeping masterclass from Rodolfo Cota saw the Mexicans through, as Chivas progressed to their first continental final in the Champions League era thanks to Isaac Brizuela's effort in the first leg.
The CONCACAF Champions League final will be played over two legs, with the winner heading to the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018.
First leg: Toronto FC v Chivas - Tuesday 17 April, BMO Field (Toronto)
Second leg: Chivas v Toronto FC - Wednesday 25 April, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara)