Over the years of CONCACAF Champions' Cup and Champions League play, away games against Mexican clubs have often been insurmountable obstacles for MLS teams.
On Tuesday night, the Montreal Impact took a major step toward this year's Champions League semifinals by earning a tie in Mexico against Pachuca and scoring two away goals in the process. In next Tuesday's second leg (March 3, 8 pm ET, FOX Sports 2), the Impact can advance with a win, a 0-0 tie, or a 1-1 tie, and even a 2-2 result would produce extra time.
While not as good as an out-and-out win, the 2-2 away draw is one of the best results an MLS team has ever gotten in Mexico, part of a growing trend that has seen MLS teams tie three of their last eight matches in Mexico over the last three seasons.
Only one of those ties turned into a two-leg series victory, however, and MLS teams remain 2-22 all-time against Mexican clubs over two legs. But earning points in such hostile environments seems to be an acquired skill.
With an all-time record of 2-32-7 in competitive games played in Mexico, here's a look at the nine results earned by MLS teams, ranked by how impressive they were:
- Aug. 17, 2011 - Pumas 0, FC Dallas 1 (group play)
The first competitive win by an MLS team in Mexico broke a 25-game drought (0-21-4). - Aug. 23, 2011 - Monterrey 0, Seattle Sounders 1 (group play)
Just one week later, Seattle followed suit with their own landmark win. - March 19, 2014 - Toluca 1, San Jose Earthquakes 1, ET (Toluca won PKs) (2nd leg)
As close as an MLS team has ever come to advancing from a second leg in Mexico. - April 20, 2011 - Monterrey 2, Real Salt Lake 2 (1st leg)
This was the first leg of the Champions League final, but RSL could not capitalize in the home leg, still the closest an MLS team has come to taking the CCL title. - Feb. 24, 2015 - Pachuca 2, Montreal Impact 2 (1st leg)
Priceless away goals or fatal blown lead? We'll find out on March 3. - Sept. 30, 2008 - Pumas 4, Houston Dynamo 4 (group play)
A wild game and the first competitive result in Mexico by an MLS team after 13 straight defeats. - April 9, 2013 - Santos Laguna 1, Seattle Sounders 1 (2nd leg)
A credible result in the second leg, but not enough to overcome a first-leg loss. - Sept. 21, 2010 - Cruz Azul 0, Toronto FC 0 (group play)
This came one week after Real Salt Lake's crazy 5-4 loss in the same venue. - Oct. 29, 2009 - Toluca 1, D.C. United 1 (group play)
D.C. needed to win to advance out of group play, so this tie felt like a loss.
Disagree with our rankings? Think Montreal can become the third MLS team to fell a Mexican opponent over two legs? Have your say in the comments section below.
