Stories to Watch
Toronto FC is on the verge of history in the CONCACAF Champions League
The Reds are making international headlines after dispatching Club América 4-2 on aggregate to become the third MLS team to advance to the CONCACAF Champions League final. The two other MLS teams to reach the final were Real Salt Lake in 2011 and Montreal Impact in 2015, though both fell short of lifting the trophy. Having won their CCL semifinal series against the Liga MX giants, Toronto's next tie is against Chivas Guadalajara in the home-and-home final. The first leg is at BMO Field on Tuesday, followed by April 25 in Guadalajara. No MLS club has ever won the current iteration of the Champions League, which replaced the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2009.
The Reds could be without Jozy Altidore this weekend
The target forward, known for his strong, physical presence in the box, had to be subbed off for Tosaint Ricketts in the seventh minute of Toronto's CCL game Tuesday evening after going down in a collision moments earlier. If Altidore's fitness is in any question, the Reds could opt to start Ricketts this weekend to let Altidore rest before ahead of the CCL final. Although Altidore is TFC's top scorer, finding the back four times combined in MLS and CCL play, this swap would not necessarily slow TFC's attack. Ricketts has also earned a spot on TFC's scoresheet in the MLS regular season, after grabbing the final goal in the Reds' 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake on March 30.
Player to Watch
Jonathan Osorio has been a key player for Toronto FC in their CCL run, finding the back of the net three times in the competition. The Homegrown midfielder scored one of the most important goals in their CCL run on March 7 against Tigres. Osorio's backheel from a Giovinco pass gave the Reds a 2-1 victory in their quarterfinal match. That goal was Osorio's second in the competition, with his first coming against the Rapids in the first leg of the CCL Round of 16 on February 20. More recently he scored a crucial goal for the Reds in the second leg of the CCL semifinal against Club América.
Osorio broke onto the scene in his rookie season with the club in 2013, scoring five league goals and earning his first cap for the Canadian Men's National team. Since joining the club, he has made a combined 156 appearances, scoring 15 goals and adding 21 assists in the MLS regular season and post season.
Although we'll likely see atleast a few changes to TFC's lineup this weekend, Osorio has started all three MLS regular season matches so there's a good chance he sees the field against the Rapids.
Colorado Rapids vs Toronto FC - Recent Form
The two sides have already faced each other twice in 2018 in the CONCACAF Champions League. The Rapids bowed out of the tournament after a 2-0 loss at home on February 20, and a 0-0 draw in Toronto on February 27. The last five times the sides have met, the Rapids have a 3-1-1 record. That record includes a 1-1 draw in the most recent MLS meeting time, when Dominique Badji struck in the 74th minute at BMO field to earn a 1-1 draw on July 22, 2017.
Despite Toronto FC having the edge in the head-to-head series overall, they have not walked away with three points from DICK'S Sporting Goods Park since August 9, 2008.
- Overall: Colorado 6 wins, 16 goals | Toronto 8 wins, 19 goals | 2 ties
- At Colorado: Colorado 5 wins, 7 goals | Toronto 1 win, 2 goals | 1 tie
- Last meeting:Toronto 1, Colorado 1 (July 22, 2017)
