They're moving on.
Toronto FC advanced to the semifinals of the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League on away goals over Tigres UANL on Tuesday night, the aggregate score tied 4-4 following a dramatic 3-2 loss in Mexico.
“It's a big night,” said head coach Greg Vanney post-match, “to come down here, do what we needed to do to get into the next round. [Tigres are] a very good team, a tough place to play, well-coached. We had to defend and be solid for much of the game. [This is] an experience that will serve us well as we go forward in this competition.”
A game-saving block from Chris Mavinga and a near own-goal in first-half stoppage-time saw the sides scoreless into the half. Under pressure, a bit of luck fell TFC's way as Jonathan Osorio slipped Sebastian Giovinco behind the Tigres backline and his dangerous pass into the middle led to an own goal from Rafael Carioca.
“We knew tonight was going to test us in different ways,” Michael Bradley told TSN after the final whistle. “We knew there were going to be twists and turns, and there were. On nights like this you need a team that has mentality, spirit and commitment. Those carried us through in a big way tonight.”
“Games like this take a little bit of everything: quality in the right moments, the ability to see moments out. You need to make big plays in big moments,” he added. “We got that.”
Eduardo Vargas would pull Tigres level shortly thereafter. But a foul on Giovinco in a dangerous spot gave the Italian a chance at goal, one he would not pass up, curling his free kick past Nahuel Guzman in the 73rd minute.
Sebastian Giovinco's free kick gets past Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman | REUTERS
“I think it was a nice goal,” a smiling Giovinco told TSN. “Tough game, come here and keep the result. We did a good job. We're very happy about that.”
In a meeting of reigning league champions, Vanney pointed to the 2-1 win in the home leg as laying the foundation.
“[It] was important for us have that edge, that extra benefit of knowing that if we could defend well, stay solid as a block and look for moments in transition, that we could get our chances here,” he said.
“We were able to get those few moments against a very good team in their building. They've been highly successful – 24 games in this stadium where they haven't lost. We knew it would be difficult. It's a big feat for our club and league to go through [after] playing the Mexican champions.”
Andre-Pierre Gignac would add two more for the home side in the final 10 minutes, a far-post tap-in and a penalty kick, but with Giovinco's strike, they mattered not. Though they did add to the drama.
“These games lived up to the hype in every way,” said Bradley. “You saw two very good teams go after it, go after each other. Two great games.”
Flash Zone Interviews: Tigres v Toronto | @TigresOficial@torontofc#SCCL2018pic.twitter.com/tWFdEJrrU5
— THE CHAMPIONS (@TheChampions) March 14, 2018
Bradley would not be drawn into the debate about a shifting tide in CONCACAF, however.
“People always want to make a lot of the head-to-head between Liga MX and MLS,” said the US international. “You [can't] judge anything on one or two games, but it's clear that MLS continues to grow. Liga MX continues to grow. Overall, football in this region is exciting and full of quality.
“We took the opportunity and responsibility to represent ourselves and the league very seriously,” continued Bradley. “The mentality and commitment of our group to play, to deal with everything that got thrown at us was excellent.”
In a clash that many saw as a potential final, Tigres were dispatched, but TFC did not celebrate excessively, keeping their eyes on the goal of becoming the first MLS side to win this competition.
“We still have a tough road ahead,” cautioned Vanney. “This experience will bode well for us. We're fully capable of winning this event. This was a huge series in showing our ability to do so.”
Who Toronto will meet in the next round will be determined Wednesday night, though Mexican giants Club America have a 4-0 advantage from the first leg of their series against Panamanian side Tauro FC. For now, Tuesday's feat resounds.
“Over the course of two legs we deserved to go through. We feel good about that, but nobody is celebrating anything yet,” said Bradley. “We're going to get ready for two big semifinals matches against either América or Tauro and go from there. … When you win a quarterfinal, all it gets you is the opportunity to play in a semifinal.”
