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Toronto FC vs Colorado Rapids: CONCACAF Champions League 2nd Leg Preview

By Mark Shannon

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) /
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Toronto FC and the Colorado Rapids are back in Toronto for the second leg of the CONCACAF Champion League…..This time not as cold

Toronto FC is already one step closer to making it to the CONCACAF Champions League quarter Finals.  After spotting Toronto a 2-0 lead in the first leg by the Rapids it will be an uphill climb for them as they look to steal away a spot from the MLS Cup Champions.

Beating the Reds at home isn’t going to be the toughest task for the Rapids as TFC only lost once in 17 leagues games last year.  After taking the 2-0 lead in game one of the round of 16, Toronto just has to keep the status quo if they are to advance to the next round.

Toronto put up one of the best seasons in MLS history last year and if they can continue on in the Champions League then it will just cement their legacy even further.

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) /

Toronto FC

  • First Leg: 2-0 Win
  • Next Game: Home opener vs Columbus Crew
  • Player To Watch For: Ager Axteke. Toronto has two games this week as they get ready for the home opener on Saturday as well and the Spanish midfielder will play a key part in tomorrow’s proceedings. Axteke can be the next Victor Vazquez and if you ask Vazquez he thinks very highly of the midfielder “He can be, I think, the Newcomer of the Year.”
  • Why They Win: Toronto is coming back home for the first time since winning the MLS Cup in December with a 2-0 lead and they won’t relinquish that.  Even if Toronto rests some of their best players in Sebastian Giovinco or Victor Vazquez they still have players that can slip into those positions and do the same things and that are what makes them such a great team.
  • Why They Lose: Toronto just can’t muster up the offense to score more goals to keep the Rapids at bay.
  • Projected Starting XI: 4-4-2. Alex Bono — Justin Morrow, Drew Moor, Nick Hagglund, Auro — Michael Bradley, Nicolas Hasler, Jonathan Osorio, AgerAketxe — Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore
COMMERCE CITY, CO – FEBRUARY 20: Colorado Rapids Edgar Castillo, left, and Toronto FC Jonathan Osorio watch the ball as it flies through the air during the first half of the game 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 Edgar Castillo, left, and Toronto FC Jonathan Osorio watch the ball as it flies through the air during the first half of the game 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) /

 Colorado Rapids

  • First Leg: 2-0 Loss
  • Next Game: Saturday March 10 vs New England
  • Player To Watch For: Domonique Badji.  There could have been a different outcome for the Rapids if Badji would have scored on the perfect chance in front of goal.  If the Rapids are to make a comeback in this competition then Badji will definitely have to be one of the Rapids that will be counted on to help dig them out of the hole.
  • Why They Win: They score more goals then Toronto.  That’s not a joke, Toronto is one of the toughest teams to beat at home and down 2-0 already Colorado will have to score, and score plenty if they want to knock off the Reds in front of their home crowd.
  • Why They Lose: It was always tough from the beginning after trailing in the first leg to come back against the defending MLS Cup Champions.  They are the defending champions for a reason.  Toronto just controls the play and dominates the Rapids in front of their home crowd.
  • Projected Starting XI: 5-3-2. Tim Howard — Marlon Hairston, Kortne Ford, Tommy Smith, Deklan Wynne, Edgar Castillo — Bismark Adjel-Boateng, Jack Price, Enzo Martinez — Dominique Badji, Jack McBean

Next: Grading 2018 MLS Kits - Best and Worst 3

Where To Watch

  • Location: BMO Field
  • Date: February 27, 2018 – 8 PM
  • Canada: TSN 1
  • USA: UnivisionDeportes.com
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