:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58835515/usa_today_10636504.0.jpg)
How many of you are going back to BMO Field tonight? Eighty days ago, we were there for the MLS Cup final. In those 80 days, Toronto FC’s management has gone around the world and made three huge signings. Today, though...
Gregory van der Wiel, Auro, and Ager Aketxe have all come to Toronto in the past few weeks. Auro’s already made his debut, but might one of the other two be involved today?
Tonight, the Reds march into BMO with their heads held pretty high. The Reds are the strongest team in MLS on paper, and they’re entering this game with an extremely good chance of advancing in the CONCACAF Champions League.
They have a 2-0 lead in this aggregate tie, so now all they need to do is see things out tonight. Any TFC victory would see them advance to the quarterfinals, as would any kind of draw, or even a 1-0 Colorado win. There’s no possible scenario where Toronto could win the tie on away goals because of their clean sheet; they’ll have to win it outright.
TFC’s players and staff have given the impression that they definitely aren’t taking this game lightly. Even though they’ve got a lead, and even though the Rapids were one of the worst teams in MLS last season, the Reds saw last year what can happen when they underestimate an opponent (like in Ottawa, or at home to Colorado).
A Toronto win would put them through to the CCL’s quarterfinals, where they’d play either the Mexican champions Tigres, or the Costa Rican side Herediano.
The game tonight goes at 8 p.m. EST from BMO Field.
TV channel & live stream
TV: TSN (Canada), Univision Deportes (USA)
Stream: TSN Go (Canada), MLS Live (Out of market)
Radio: TSN 1050 (Toronto)
Team news
Gregory van der Wiel should be available for selection after the birth of his daughter on Saturday. Chris Mavinga is likely questionable, as he may or may not still be dealing with his muscle strain that kept him out last week. A yellow card in this match for Michael Bradley would see him suspended for the next CCL game.
The Rapids have no major injuries to speak of.
Confirmed lineups
Toronto FC: Bono, Morrow, Moor, Hagglund, Auro, Bradley (c), Osorio, Delgado, Vazquez, Giovinco, Altidore
Colorado Rapids: MacMath, Ford, Wilson, Smith, Hairston, Wynne, Price, Blomberg, Martinez, Badji, McBean