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CCL: Toronto FC in need of a win, Sounders close in on knockout stage

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Photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com

With the final half of the CONCACAF Champions League group stage set to kick off Tuesday night, Toronto FC is faced with an opportunity that it can not let slip through its fingers.

TFC host Tauro FC (8 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel) in a Group C match that carries plenty of significance in relation to Toronto's hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.

The Reds won the previous match between the two clubs down in Panama City back on Aug. 18 by a 2-1 scoreline but has dropped its two group matches since and sits in third place in the group. Another match with Tauro, which is winless in group play thus far, provides the best chance for TFC to rack up more points before more challenging matches against FC Dallas and Pumas UNAM. Those two teams, which occupy the top two spots in the group, will meet on Wednesday night with high stakes on the line.

SOUNDERS CLOSE IN ON QUARTERFINALS

The Seattle Sounders play Herediano for the second time in as many weeks (10 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel), knowing full well that a fourth consecutive victory in the group stage would likely cement the team's place in the quarterfinals of the competition.

By the time of the Seattle-Herediano first kick, the Sounders will know for sure if they can clinch a place in the knockout stage with a victory. Comunicaciones and Monterrey meet earlier in the evening, and if second-place Comunicaciones can duplicate last week's victory over Monterrey or hold the defending CCL champions to a draw, Seattle would be assured of advancing with a win.

The Sounders topped Herediano, 2-1, in Costa Rica last week behind two goals from Fredy Montero. The club did not have the services of Mauro Rosales for that victory, and it won't for the return meeting either after he was ruled out for the next 2-to-4 weeks with an MCL tear.

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Do you think tonight's game is a must-win for Toronto FC? Do you see any team in Group D catching the Sounders? 

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. PUMAS said they are actually using their A-Team against Dallas tomorrow, it should be a hard task for Dallas since they barely managed to beat Pumas second division squad.

    Reply
  2. Hopefully Vancouver and Montreal get competitive teams together sooner rather than later so that Toronto won’t represent the MLS in this anymore.

    Reply
  3. At home, Herediano posed little threat in the final third. They could pass through the midfield well enough, but Seattle’s defense was tough to crack. The only chance they had was throwing themselves to the ground when they felt minimal contact. On the flip side, the Herediano defense was unorganized and scrambled to get in position. I see more of the same. 3-0 Seattle. Fucito, Neagle and Jaqua.

    Reply
  4. Tonight is a key game for TFC.

    If TFC beats Tauro and Dallas beats Pumas tomorrow, then suddenly TFC is in second place with two games left: a home match against Pumas and an away match versus Dallas. A win against Pumas would pretty much guarantee a spot in the quarters. A tie against Pumas would mean they’d need a result against Dallas (tie or win) and Tauro to tie Pumas (unlikely).

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