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Toronto FC beats the Cold….and Colorado in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League

By Mark Shannon

COMMERCE CITY, CO - FEBRUARY 20: Colorado Rapids Dominique Badji gets tripped up by Toronto FC player Auro Junior, left, during the first half on February 20, 2018 in Commerce City, Colorado. This is the first round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions League game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Colorado Rapids take on the defending MLS Cup champs in tonight's game. The coldest game on record is 19 degrees at kickoff. Tonight's game could be much colder. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
COMMERCE CITY, CO - FEBRUARY 20: Colorado Rapids Dominique Badji gets tripped up by Toronto FC player Auro Junior, left, during the first half on February 20, 2018 in Commerce City, Colorado. This is the first round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions League game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The Colorado Rapids take on the defending MLS Cup champs in tonight's game. The coldest game on record is 19 degrees at kickoff. Tonight's game could be much colder. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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Much was made of the weather in Colorado last night, but Toronto  FC looked a master class above the Colorado Rapids and looked like they were in mid-season form.  Can Toronto keep it up and….maybe take the Champions League?

Toronto FC got the 2018 year underway last night with the opening leg of the round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions League against the Colorado Rapids. While it was only 76 days since Toronto raised the MLS Cup, it didn’t look like Toronto was showing any signs of fatigue (even in -17 degree weather). Playing in the cold and the altitude in Colorado was always going to be tough, but playing pre-season games in Mexico helped Toronto with the altitude.

From the outset Toronto looked ready to show that they’re for real and are ready for the grueling challenge of the Champions League and the regular season. With them coming out and taking a big 2-0 lead and going back home Toronto grabbed those huge away goals that are so dear in a home and home series (just ask the Red Bulls).

COMMERCE CITY, CO – FEBRUARY 20: Toronto FC goalkeeper Alexander Bono grasps the ball to protect it during the second half of the CONCACAF Champions League Game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on February 20, 2018 in Commerce City, Colorado. This is the first round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions League game. The Colorado Rapids lost to Toronto FC, the defending MLS Cup champs, 2-0. The coldest game on record is 19 degrees at kickoff. Tonight’s game was in the single digits. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
COMMERCE CITY, CO – FEBRUARY 20: Toronto FC goalkeeper Alexander Bono grasps the ball to protect it during the second half of the CONCACAF Champions League Game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on February 20, 2018 in Commerce City, Colorado. This is the first round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions League game. The Colorado Rapids lost to Toronto FC, the defending MLS Cup champs, 2-0. The coldest game on record is 19 degrees at kickoff. Tonight’s game was in the single digits. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /

Toronto started off the game in the 4-4-2, the same formation they used in the MLS Cup final (and we all know how that turned out). That gave Toronto the opportunity to activate their backs as multiple times Morrow and Auro got deep into the Colorado half and helped create chances for the Reds. While Toronto did control most of the game and the chances, however, Colorado did have a great chance to open the scoring when Dominique Badji latched onto a ball after a bad defensive play by Bradley and Moor who got tangled up leading to a semi-break for Badji. Instead of placing it into the corner he shot right at the Bono who made the save. Credit to Bono, however, for getting down and cutting down the angles.

After that Toronto didn’t really give them a grade A chance to score. Giovinco had multiple chances on goal that Howard got down well and stopped. It was Giovinco’s ball in the second half onto the head of Osorio that started the scoring. Osorio placed the ball into the far right corner for a nice goals, however, Howard could have made a better effort.

Toronto doubled their lead late in the contest when Auro crossed a ball into the box and Giovinco put a nice shot into the bottom right corner and Howard had no chance on that one. Now up 2-0 heading home for the second league next Tuesday, Toronto will have everything going for them as they look to advance to next round.

There were a lot of bright spots last night for Toronto as they controlled most of the game and the possession. The one player who stood out the was the newly acquired Brazilian right back Auro, he looks a class player and a solid pickup and we’re only one game into. He has looked good through the pre-season thus far and last night was no different. His ability to get up and down the flank and help create chances for the offence was something Toronto was looking for after the departures of Edwards and Beitashour. Auro was key in helping Toronto getting the win especially his set-up that was perfectly placed for Giovinco to score the second goal of the game and cement the lead for TFC.

Another player that stood out was the aforementioned Giovinco, a notoriously slow starter, looked in fine form last night scoring his first of the year and looked like he was in mid-season form and Colorado couldn’t find ways to stop the diminutive striker. His ability to score a goal like he did last night just goes to show the kind of player he is and you can’t count him out because he can score whenever he wants and whenever he gets a chance.

Next: Toronto FC 2018 Season Preview

While they are looking to take each game one at a time Toronto will be surely looking at their possible opponents next round already. If Toronto advances they will take on either Costa Rican side Herediano or Liga MX side Tigres UNAL who tied their opening contest 2-2 with Tigres holding the edge with two away goals. Toronto has to get by Colorado first.

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