Toronto FC on Tuesday became just the third MLS team in 10 years to advance to the Concacaf Champions League finals, drawing with Club America, 1-1, at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca for a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Jonathan Osorio scored in the 12th minute before Andres Uribe converted a penalty kick on the last touch of the game as the Canadian side earned a championship matchup with Chivas Guadalajara, starting next week at BMO Field in Toronto. The Mexican team staved off massive pressure from the New York Red Bulls to claim a 0-0 away draw and 1-0 aggregate triumph before a crowd of 23,623 at Red Bull Arena. The hosts failed to capitalize on a 20-1 advantage in shots.
A Mexican club has won the regional championship 12 consecutive years.
The only previous MLS clubs to appear in the finals since Concacaf adapted the current format in 2008-09 were Real Salt Lake in 2011 and the Montreal Impact four years later. No MLS representative has lifted the trophy since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2000. D.C. United was the only other winner, in 1998.
Chivas has not won the title since the inaugural tournament in 1962.
At stake is a berth in the FIFA Club World Cup in December in the United Arab Emirates.
Osorio’s goal:
One of Alex Bono’s brilliant saves:
