Toronto FC came agonizingly close to winning the 2018 Concacaf Champions League, but after defeating Chivas de Guadalajara in the second leg of the final on Wednesday night in Estadio Akron 2-1, they fell in the resulting penalty shootout 4-2 as the Liga MX side took the regional crown.
TFC's win brought the series aggregate to 3-3, but two misses by the Canadian side in the shootout, coupled with Chivas going 4-for-4 in their spot kicks, ensured the CCL remained in Mexican hands.
In Wednesday's game, Chivas extended the aggregate lead to 3-1, after Orbelin Pineda completed a counterattack with a tally off a pass from Rodolfo Pizarro to open the scoring in the match.
But Toronto FC had an answer shortly thereafter, as Nicolas Hasler's tenacity with the ball in the box lead to a sharp low cross against the grain, and Jozy Altidore turned the ball into the net. The goal tied the game and brought TFC to within a goal on aggregate.
Then, just before halftime, Sebastian Giovinco took a pass from Marky Delgado, ran into the box, and blasted a shot just inside the near post to bring TFC ahead 2-1 on the night and tied on aggregate.
Following a wide open but scoreless second half, the game went to the penalty shootout after 90 minutes. Giovinco converted the first kick for TFC, but Jonathan Osorio's attempt went off the crossbar. Delgado then scored his shot, but Michael Bradley's attempt sailed well over the bar, while Chivas' perfect shootout earned them the Champions League crown.
Goals
19' – CHV – Orbelin Pineda
25' – TOR – Jozy Altidore
44' – TOR – Sebastian Giovinco
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Toronto FC came farther than any MLS team in the CCL era, but it will be scant consolation after falling by the slimmest of margins. Chivas, meanwhile, take their first confederation crown since the 1962 Concacaf Champions Cup.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Heartbreaking as it is, Bradley's penalty kick was the clincher for Chivas and doomed TFC to second place. After a game where TFC showed massive heart and played an unconventional lineup out of necessity, it is a moment that will linger in CCL and TFC lore for years to come.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Giovinco was a man on a mission, and his about-face, taking a yellow card out of frustration before scoring the go-ahead goal on the night moments later helped encapsulate a blistering run through the tournament, in which he was involved in 11 of the 13 goals scored by the Canadian outfit.
Next Up
Toronto FC (1-4-0) will refocus its attention on the MLS regular season when the Fire (2-3-1) travel to BMO Field on Saturday (April 28). The game kicks off at 2 PM CT with live coverage in Chicago available on ESPN+.
