TORONTO – There's something about the goal at the South End of BMO Field for Jozy Altidore.
In the big matches, when the team needs him most to make the break through, it always seems to be Altidore who rises to the occasion.
He did so once more on Wednesday night, scoring the equalizing goal as Toronto FC went on to defeat Tigres UANL 2-1 in the opening leg of their 2018 Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal series.
With TFC trailing in the 60th minute, Altidore held off a defender, as he let a Marky Delgado ball run across his body and into the area before pouncing quickly with a right-footer that beat Nahuel Guzman in goal, willing his side back into the fray.
“Very big,” said TFC head coach Greg Vanney of Altidore stepping up in that moment. “Up to that point we had a few chances we let slip away.”
“Playing teams like Tigres you can't let too many slip away,” continued Vanney. “So to get that one, break the seal on the goal – it's been a couple games since we got one – motivated the team to keep pushing forward and play for the second one. We were able to get that one [too], which was an important one as we go to Mexico.”
Altidore's celebration, peeling off towards the fans in the supporters' section harkened back to goals he scored in the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs: the series deciding goal in the Eastern Conference Final against Columbus Crew SC, on an injured ankle no less, and the opening goal in the MLS Cup against Seattle Sounders FC.
Each massive in its own right; all three scored at the South End.
“We started off a bit timid, we respected them too much, gave them too much space,” said Altidore of the first half where Tigres bossed possession through the opening 20 minutes. “In the second half, we played ourselves into the game, looked more ourselves.”
It's on the big nights, that the big players have to step up.
“It's important [they do],” said Vanney. “Especially given the roles that the big players play for us.”
It was not just Altidore who loomed large, Sebastian Giovinco was everywhere. Michael Bradley too was immense, covering every blade of grass.
“Jozy and Seba are the guys that are going to get the chances,” said Vanney. “Jozy kept working hard in and around the goal, find his little positions. Without Victor on the field, it was nice to see Seba join into the midfield at times, combine. He played more provider over the course of the game than the guy on the final pass. The roles they play are vital for us.”
When Vanney went to his bench, bringing on Victor Vazquez and Auro in the final ten minutes, Toronto were at their best, troubling Tigres at every turn.
And it was Toronto's own Jonathan Osorio who would add the game-winner the 89th minute, ensuring TFC an advantage into the second leg.
The lead is nice, but it is the spirit with which they played that they will aim to bring down to Mexico next week.
Said Bradley: “It's a confident group. We saw that even in the difficult moments tonight.”
