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Two giants collide on Tuesday as Toronto FC play host to Club América in the first leg of their Semifinal tie of the CONCACAF Champions League.
Some might call it the final before the final. Last year’s MLS champion takes on the most winning team in Mexican fútbol.
Toronto FC come into this Semifinal after knocking down the reigning Liga MX champs, Tigres, on away goals, while Club América made easy work out of Tauro FC in the Quarterfinals, winning by an aggregate score of 7-1.
For Toronto, this game is as big as it gets. The Canadian side represents Major League Soccer’s best chance of winning the CCL, and after beating Tigres at home in the first leg of the Quarterfinals, they will like their chances of doing the same against las Águilas.
América, of course, is one of Mexico’s biggest teams for a reason, and they know what it means to perform on the big stage. While they don’t have an air of invincibility anymore, after losing at home to Toluca two weeks ago, las Águilas remain one of the favorites to win it all both domestically and in the CCL.
With the second leg being played at the Estadio Azteca, the onus will be on Toronto to get something positive from this game. Playing in the altitude of Mexico City can be a daunting task, which again highlights how important it is for them to take advantage of this game. América are a team that know how to win, and if anybody can bring Toronto back to earth, it is definitely las Águilas.
Date: Tuesday, April 2
Time: 5:00pm Pacific, 7:00pm Central, 8:00pm Eastern
Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
TV: Univision Deportes Network (US - Spanish), TSN1 (Canada), RDS 2 (Canada), FOX Sports Cono Norte (Mexico)