Pizarro, Pulido help Chivas take victory in Toronto

Chivas Guadalajara earned a crucial 2-1 win over Toronto FC at BMO Field on Wednesday, in the First Leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Final.

Rodolfo Pizarro broke the deadlock after just two minutes when Chivas took advantage of a sluggish start from Toronto and a throw-in from the right-hand side finished with the 24-year-old scoring.

Toronto were clearly struggling for momentum after conceding, but they got all the encouragement they needed in the 19th minute when Jonathan Osorio broke into the box and swept home a Marco Delgado cross.

Spirited and inspired, the Canadian side took control of the game, with Jozy Altidore and Osorio both forcing Chivas goalkeeper Miguel Jimenez to a pair of good saves right before the break.

At the start of the second half, Orbelin Pineda had a shot denied by Alex Bono before Drew Moor mishit a clear opportunity at the other end.

In the 72nd minute, Chivas restored their lead through an Alan Pulido free-kick. The Mexican forward floated a shot-cross over the goalkeeper as the ball somehow nestled into the back of the net.

With the majority of BMO Field silenced, Chivas continued to press. In the final moments of the game, Toronto allowed Chivas plenty of space on the breakaway, but Pizarro and Zaldivar could only to send their respective shots high and wide of the crossbar.

The final whistle brought cheers from the traveling Chivas fans, as the Rebaño Sagrado will now go into the Estadio Akron with two away goals to their name. Both teams will meet again next Wednesday at the Estadio Akron.