Toronto FC and Tigres UANL signaled their intentions to go all-out in pursuit of the inaugural Campeones Cup title, trotting out strong starting lineups at BMO Field on Wednesday night.
Though they might not technically count as “full-strength” given the injury-imposed absences of defenders Chris Mavinga and Drew Moor and a bench role for playmaker Victor Vazquez, TFC started attacking luminaries Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore up top and in-form midfielders like Jonathan Osorio and Marky Delgado in the engine room.
Listed on the stats sheet as a 3-5-2 formation, with Michael Bradley playing as the center-most defender between Eriq Zavaleta and Nick Hagglund as opposed to his usual spot in deep midfield, the Reds’ XI also features wingbacks Gregory van der Wiel and Justin Morrow. HomegrownJay Chapman rounds out the central-midfield trio and Alex Bono got the nod ahead of Clint Irwin in goal.
For their part, Tigres gave the nod to a menacing front line spearheaded by star French striker Andre-Pierre Gignac with Jesus Duenas and Eduardo Vargas in wide attacking roles.
Manager Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti arrayed his side in a typical 4-3-3 look, built around the central trio of Rafael Carioca, Guido Pizarro and Lucas Zelarayan. The Mexican giants are backstopped by a sturdy front line ahead of mercurial Argentinean goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman.
