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The start of another CONCACAF Champions League campaign is underway for Toronto FC as they enter the group stage for the third year in a row. A new format for 2012/13 means no Preliminary Round, as they now are directly slotted into a three-team group with CD Águila and new rivals Santos Laguna. Wednesday night the Reds are up against the El Salvadorian Primera Division 2012 Clausura champions CD Águila to put another pin on the map for a Central American nation whom they musts compete against.
There is no question the hierarchy of the group is Santos Laguna/TFC/CD Águila, as there are few teams outside of MLS, Mexico and Costa Rica that have had a significant impact in the Champions League. Coming off a humbling loss on the weekend to the Houston Dynamo, Águila present a prime opportunity for Toronto to regain some momentum and form heading into a tough weekend clash against Chicago. As long as Paul Mariner and his players don't take this team and fixture for granted, the Reds should have the quality to get this year's group stage off on the right foot.
Keep Thinking
TFC come into this year's tournament on the heels of one of the most unlikely runs since the Montreal Impact's in 2008. Struggling in MLS, and in a tough group to begin with, a 3-0 win over FC Dallas put them through to the knockout round against the LA Galaxy. March 2012 unfortunately will always be overshadowed by an 0-9 start to the MLS season, but knocking out the Galaxy, then hanging with Mexican powerhouse Santos Laguna until the final forty-five minutes, will always be remembered as a pinnacle moment in the club's brief history.
This year Toronto are still struggling in the league, but the coaching staff and many of the players that featured for them through last year's tournament are gone. It has yet to be seen if Paul Mariner puts the same worth into the tournament as his predecessor, or if he shares the same views as another MLS-focused coach in Preki in 2010.
The opening match against Águila brings a bit of good luck for Toronto FC that will hopefully improve their chances in the group. First, is their actual opponent. Last year, another El Salvador club Isidro Metapán, got through the group and proved to be a formidable opponent. Going through the 2012 Clausura season undefeated, they looked to be on track to winning another title. However, Aguila, who lost seven matches through the Clausura, shocked them in the finals 2-1 to earn a spot in the Champions League. While Metapán would not have been an opponent, Águila are a team who has not been consistent over the last five years and are in the tournament for the first time.
The second piece of luck is that through their impressive season emerged Panamanian striker Nicholas Munoz, who bagged twelve goals over 18 games. His form caught the eye of Metapán, and he has transferred over to the perennial challengers. While this is a bit of luck takes away one big threat, there are still a few players to be wary of. Osael Romero is one who has over sixty caps for El Salvador and we might see his younger counterpart Isidro Gutierrez, who featured in this year's Olympic Qualifying tournament.
As seen in the Olympic Qualifiers, El Salvador presented problems for Canada and Toronto FC can take pieces of that and see what to expect from one of their domestic clubs. Not known as one of the traditional powerhouses in the region - likely behind Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama and maybe closer to Guatamala, the style of play is likely not far from what Toronto has seen from those nation's domestic clubs.
Speed will be one of their advantages, but TFC will likely have an edge in size and strength. Aside from the Mexican clubs, Toronto have been able to assert themselves over previous Central American opposition at BMO and the only issue that remains is how Águila handle what will certainly be a physical approach. If the referee is kind to the home side, that will bode well for the Reds over ninety minutes.
If Toronto can avoid bad calls, and are allowed to apply their size advantage there should be openings to take. Ryan Johnson emerged last year as a key player and he will be one to watch who has struggled since Danny Koevermans went down. Luis Silva as well should look at this game as an opportunity to improve on his last performance, and against a team who probably won't be able to physically disrupt him, can become the playmaker he has shown glimpses of.
In the End
As noted earlier, many of the potential player match-ups depend on how serious Paul Mariner takes this tournament. With a likely crowd of 10,000 or less, there might not be much encouragement to put too many chips down on this over league play. Whether he starts most of the faces who have been playing over the last month, will remain to be seen. Even if it is a mixed side, Toronto should have the quality, especially at home, to take out CD Águila and start their 2012 Champions League campaign with three important points.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – 0 CD Águila
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