Toronto FC 2, Tigres UANL 1 | CCL Quarterfinal Recap

Phil West

Toronto FC, hosting a Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal match at BMO Field Wednesday night, gave up an early 2nd half away goal to Chilean international Eduardo Vargas, but answered back with goals from Jozy Altidore and Jonathan Osorio to lift the Reds to a 2-1 win over Tigres.

After a scoreless first half in which Sebastian Giovinco was a particularly lively presence, Tigres brought out star French forward André-Pierre Gignac for Enner Valencia to start the second half. Less than seven minutes after play resumed, Vargas broke the deadlock after finding just enough space among the Toronto defense.

But Altidore's déjà vu moment from last season's MLS Cup, smartly assisted by Marky Delgado, brought Toronto level in the 60th minute. In the 89th minute, with both teams hinting at possible late heroics, Osorio backheeled in a Giovinco pass for the game winner.

Altidore comes up big (again) for Toronto in CCL win

Goals

52' – TIG – Eduardo Vargas
60' – TOR – Jozy Altidore
89' – TOR – Jonathan Osorio

Three Things

The Big Picture:
It's never sound CCL strategy to give up an away goal to a Mexican opponent, but Toronto set themselves up well for the return leg with the two late-stage goals. If Toronto can at least stay even with Tigres in Monterrey, they'll book a trip to the CCL semis.

Moment of the Match: Osorio's audaciously-finished goal was a signature moment for the Canadian international, and changed the game's narrative from salvaging a result to a rousing success.

Man of the Match: Though Giovinco didn't get on the scoresheet — even with two free-kick opportunities — his first-half energy kept Tigres uneasy, and he was instrumental in setting up both goals.