Colorado Rapids vs. Toronto FC
2018 CONCACAF Champions League – Round of 16, Leg 1
Dicks Sporting Goods Park - Commerce City
10 pm ET – Feb. 20, 2018
WATCH: univisiondeportes.com, UDN (tape delayed) | TSN2 (Canada)
Meaningful soccer is finally here as two MLS teams who had vastly different offseasons meet in the first leg of the Round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions League Tuesday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Toronto FC enter as one of the tournament favorites and aren't resting on their laurels following a historic treble-winning 2017, while the Colorado Rapids have undergone an extreme makeover after finishing one point from the basement in the Western Conference a year ago.
Fans of the yellow ball rejoice, with snow in the forecast and temperatures expected to be around 10 degrees at kickoff.
- Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney meets with the media ahead of the first leg
- Drew Moor talks about his return to Colorado
- Eriq Zavaleta excited about kicking off the season
- Boehm: Checking in with MLS' CCL quintet
- CONCACAF Champions League cheat sheet
Colorado Rapids
There was bound to be changes and they came in abundance in Colorado with a new front office, a new coach in Anthony Hudson, a new formation (3-5-2) and a bevy of new players as the Rapids look to put a woeful 2017 behind them.
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- Injury Report: OUT: D Kip Colvey (quad), M/F Shkelzen Gashi (calf)
Projected Starting XI
(3-5-2, right to left)
GK: Tim Howard — Deklan Wynne, Tommy Smith, Kortne Ford — Marlon Hairston, Johan Blomberg, Jack Price, Bismark Adjel-Boateng, Edgar Castillo — Dominique Badji, Jack McBean
Toronto FC
Unlike Colorado, Toronto FC only made subtle tweaks to its roster after a banner 2017. Greg Vanney has brought in two new right backs in former Dutch international Gregory van der Wiel, who remains in Toronto with his wife expecting, and young Brazilian Auro, who could make his debut in the two-legged series.
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: NONE
- Injury Report: OUT: D Chris Mavinga (abdominal injury)
Projected Starting XI
(3-5-2, right to left)
GK: Alex Bono — Eriq Zavaleta, Drew Moor, Nick Hagglund — Nicolas Hasler, Victor Vazquez, Michael Bradley, Marky Delgado, Justin Morrow — Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore
All-Time Series
- Overall: Colorado 6 wins, 16 goals … Toronto 8 wins, 19 goals … 2 Ties
- At Colorado: (7 meetings) Rapids 5 wins, 7 goals … Toronto 1 win, 2 goals … 1 Tie
- Last meeting at Colorado: Colorado 1, Toronto 0 (April 2, 2016)
- CONCACAF Champions League: Colorado - 1 appearance (2011/12) 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 tie (9 goals) … Toronto - 4 appearances (2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13) 11 wins, 8 losses, 7 ties (35 goals)
Referees
Referee: Kimbell Ward (St. Kitts & Nevis)
Assistant Referees: Graeme Browne (St. Kitts & Nevis), Jean Marc Moreau (Haiti)
Fourth Official: Daneon Parchment (Jamaica)
