Toronto FC opens CONCACAF quarter-final with win over Mexico's Tigres

It speaks volumes about where Toronto FC is at these days that the reigning MLS champions are looking forward to tackling Mexican heavyweight Tigres UANL on the road next week.

The fact that Toronto will arrive at Tigres' 42,000-capacity Estadio Universitario next Tuesday with an edge after Wednesday's 2-1 win at BMO Field helps. And while Mexico has been a graveyard for MLS teams over the years, TFC believes it has the goods to finish off the Liga MX champion and advance to the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League semifinal.

Match Wrap: Toronto FC defeat Tigres to win CONCACAF quarter-final opener

7 years ago

Duration 1:35

Jonathan Osario scores late for 2-1 TFC victory in opening leg of CONCACAF quarters.

"We're confident," said Toronto midfielder Jonathan Osorio, whose 89th-minute highlight-reel goal decided the first leg of the two-game aggregate series. "Our objective was to leave here with a lead ... We're excited. We're excited to go there and protect that lead."

For the 25,587 at BMO Field, the star-studded contest did not disappoint. An enthralling clash of champions built from a slow burn in the first half to all action in the second with a sting in the game's tail courtesy of an audacious Osorio backheel.

Toronto will head south full of confidence, full value for the win after outshooting its Mexican opposition 12-3 (4-1 in shots on goal) in the second half when all three goals were scored. Tigres, meanwhile, will hope its away goal will play its part in the rematch.

'It will be tough'

"It's halftime," said striker Jozy Altidore, who pulled Toronto even at 1-1 in the 60th minute . "It will be tough. Obviously they got that away goal which makes thing tricky. But I think we're a team capable of scoring goals. Just as much as they are."

Toronto manager Greg Vanney called Wednesday's victory a "good start."

"I don't think any of us in the locker-room consider it a win just yet. I think we've given ourselves a little bit of an advantage as we go there. We know today was at a certain level of intensity and we know when we go there it will be a whole different level when we get down to Mexico.

"We're playing the Mexican champions who don't want to lose this series in front of their home crowd and their home stadium. .. It sets up as a really interesting return leg back to Mexico."

Both teams will look forward to a better surface than the uneven early March grass at BMO Field. And some warmer weather.

It was two degrees Celsius at kickoff but fans were bundled up. Vanney skipped a coat, however, wearing a suit bolstered by a quilted waistcoat.

The forecast for the evening rematch calls for 13 Celsius, cool by Monterrey standards.

Osorio's goal came after some extended Toronto pressure with Sebastian Giovinco finding the Canadian in front of goal. The ball was slightly behind him so Osorio pivoted like a ballet dancer and backheeled it home.

Osorio, who called the goal the most important of his career, said his instincts took over as he realized the ball was behind him.

Altidore evened the score

Osorio, who has 13 goals in 142 regular-season MLS starts, had missed a glorious opportunity after Tigres went ahead when he skied his shot from point-blank range from a low Altidore cross.

A key stoppage-time tackle by Chris Mavinga preserved the tie.

Toronto had looked good to open the second half but Chilean international Eduardo Vargas turned the tide, outmuscling Mavinga before slamming a difficult right-footed shot past Alex Bono in the 52nd minute.

Altidore then evened the score, holding off Tigres Brazilian-born captain Juninho to fire a low shot home. Giovinco started the play by finding Marky Delgado, whose quick relay carved open the Mexican defence.

Altidore could have made it 2-1 in the 70th minute but the burly American could not control a wonderful pass from captain Michael Bradley that found him in front of goal. Defender Drew Moor then came close with a header off a Bradley free kick.

And Tigres seemed to escape a late handball in its penalty box.

Commissioner Don Garber has called the CONCACAF club championship a "referendum" for MLS in its bid to become the dominant circuit in North America.

Mexican teams have won the last nine editions of the tournament since it changed to a Champions League format in 2008-09. Mexican squads were runners-up in seven of those finals with Real Salt Lake (2010-11) and the Montreal Impact (2014-15) also making the final.