Toronto FC defeats Club America in 1st leg of Champions League semifinals

Advantage, Toronto FC.

The Reds earned a two-goal cushion at BMO Field on Tuesday in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals by defeating Club America 3-1. That result would allow Greg Vanney's side to advance to the finals with either a win, a draw, a one-goal loss, or even a two-goal defeat should it score at least a pair in the second leg at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City next Tuesday.

A penalty scored straight down the middle by Sebastian Giovinco opened the scoring before Andres Ibarguen equalized with a bit of tricky footwork. Jozy Altidore restored Toronto's advantage with a smartly placed shot after getting the better of Carlos Alonso Vargas on a breakaway served up by Giovinco.

Tensions boiled over at half-time as the two teams had a quick scuffle in the tunnel, but in the second half, Toronto doubled its advantage courtesy of local left-back Ashtone Morgan, who timed his run into the box well and latched onto the end of an Auro cross in the 58th minute.

The Reds held firm for the remaining half-hour, to the delight of team captain Michael Bradley, who praised his teammates after the match.

"This is Jozy, you know? He makes big plays in big moments," Bradley said during a post-match broadcast interview when asked about Altidore's goal. "The partnership with Seba continues ... It gets better and better. We're gonna need 90 more minutes of the same next week."

The result positions Toronto FC well for a first-ever appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League final, though a big test at the Estadio Azteca still awaits. This result is, however, a significant sign of Major League Soccer's growth and competitiveness in this competition.

Additionally, Toronto FC ended Club America's 17-match unbeaten streak, inflicting only its second loss of the season, and also becomes the first MLS team to ever defeat Club America in a CONCACAF Champions League match.