Having completed the greatest season in MLS history, the next hurdle for Toronto FC is the Concacaf Champions League. With the new format, they may not face a Liga MX club until the semifinals in April which would give them six weeks of league competition and potentially four games in the CCL to find their form and then face the likes of Tigres, America, Chivas, or Tijuana. I view them as a slight underdog against Tigres but ever-so-slight favorites against America, Chivas, or Tijuana. Making a respectable run but losing in the semifinals or final will garner praise but winning the whole tournament will be the greatest accomplishment in MLS history. Can they do it?
The changes to the format may make it easier, but it's hard to say at this point. It'll be a challenge if they lose both Beitashour and Moor to free agency, seems possible though. Will depend on how they use TAM and get new players acquainted to the system.
playing in CONCACAF in mid-season would be a possibility of upsets- playing in pre-season (february) will be difficult for TFC
If an MLS team is to win CCL, this version of TFC team is it. My reasons why -Best single season MLS team ever. Treble and all that -TFC first team should be good enough to match up against most Liga MX teams. -TFC actually has decent depth -TFC expects to re-sign most of key players. Moor is expected to re-sign soon. Waiting on Beitashour, but Hasler turns out to be good back up. -TFC has been very shrewd on signings. Expect TFC to add one or 2 TAM level signings over the winter, adding more quality. -TFC actually gives a damn about CCL, unlike a lot of past MLS teams (IE 2011-2012 LAG and Bruce Arena) and emphasis CCL. TFC will be holding at least some part of their preseason in Mexico and has friendlies lined up already. -TFC fans have been pretty good showing up for CCL, esp in knockout stages. And those were the terrible TFC teams. -And the probability of snowball games in Toronto is high. TFC is playing all their games at BMO Field for CCL. It's going to be cold for Mexicans and other Central American teams.
-And the probability of snowball games in Toronto is high. TFC is playing all their games at BMO Field for CCL. It's going to be cold for Mexicans and other Central American teams.[/QUOTE] Would there be a possibility of playing home legs in February and March at Rogers Centre? I remember the big game against the LA Galaxy many years ago which was either in February or March but they opted to play there instead of BMO although the idea of the famous February 2001 World Cup Qualifier between the USA and Mexico may inspire TFC brass to "freeze" CCL opponents in the home leg.
Would there be a possibility of playing home legs in February and March at Rogers Centre? I remember the big game against the LA Galaxy many years ago which was either in February or March but they opted to play there instead of BMO although the idea of the famous February 2001 World Cup Qualifier between the USA and Mexico may inspire TFC brass to "freeze" CCL opponents in the home leg.[/QUOTE] No. The Blue Jays changed the configuration of Rogers Centre for baseball use only. And Bill Manning said BMO Field for CCL.
Well, this year's TFC team is probably the best chance MLS has had yet, so hope they can pull it off. Seattle might fare reasonably well also. Unfortunately, the Red Bulls could be about to lose Kljestan to LAFC, so that doesn't help their chances. Incidentally, since the draw doesn't take place until after the MLS Cup, why don't they use the 2017 results for the 2018 tourney? From what I understand, the participants were determined based on 2016 results and therefore include 2 MLS teams that didn't even make the playoffs this year (Colorado and Dallas). TFC and Seattle are probably the best hopes for MLS anyway and they are both in, but NYCFC would have a better shot than Colorado or Dallas as this year's Supporter's Shield runner-up.
The US participants were determined for the 2017-18 CCL before the format change eliminated the Fall 2017 portion of the CCL schedule. The decision was made not to change the qualified teams since they all contested the 2016 season with stated criteria of what they needed to do to qualify.
No. They'll draw the Rapids in the first round and lose in a home-and-home in Feb. that should have been played in hockey instead of soccer.
Perhaps a silly question, but since TFC won the MLS Cup, who does the other 2017 US berth fall to for the 2019 CCL? Does it fall to Seattle because they were the other MLS Cup participant, or NYCFC since they had the best regular season record for a US team?
I believe it is NYCFC, but not 100% sure. from wiki. the source. https://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/04/06/concacaf-champions-league-ccl-qualifying-format-changes https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017...hampions-league-qualifiers-are-determined-mls BTW, I guess we always knew, but Canada appears to make it official in their tournament, no USL or NASL (well none now) can make the CCL. Also https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/2018-cl-2019-ccl-qualifiers-transition-r.2066418/#post-36150022
That slot will go to the team with the best combined regular season record from 2017 and 2018. https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017...hampions-league-qualifiers-are-determined-mls New York City FC is in the lead after 2017 but we'll have to wait and see how 2018 goes. If this happens again in 2018 then presumably it would be the top two (or more) teams in the combined table.
I think TFC have a decent chance to win the CCL, for one big reason: They are aiming to do it. I suspect it's their top goal for 2018, and it'll be the big feather in the cap for all of the returning guys from this season. The only major potential roster loss is Beitashour, as I fully expect Moor to re-up. I hope they can keep both at a reasonable price. Lots of MLS teams struggle with really dedicating themselves to the CCL tourney, because it's SUCH an uphill climb, and the focus is understandably on the league. But I suspect winning the CCL is the new obsession for this TFC roster now.
If Toronto FC fortifies their roster with some good TAM signings, I think their roster would have a puncher's chance against anyway. Tigres would be the favorite still. But I am concerned about the schedule. I hope the MLS sides that advance in the first round draw other MLS sides in the quarterfinals. I'm not sure that our teams will be ready by March 6 to take on Liga MX teams that are in midseason form. But by the semifinals in April, we should be as ready as we're gonna get.
Are they on the same side as Tigres? I can't see anyone beating this UANL team, they are fvcking loaded. Then again, they did lose a final to Chivas about 8 months ago, so they can have bad days.
TFC is the strongest team MLS sent to CCL. Beating Tigres is a tough ask although Montreal did defeat Pachuca. Perhaps Semi-finals but they aren't winning the whole thing. Liga MX are way too deep in comparison to MLS teams
They'll have a shot if they can get a strong home result. I would be interested in seeing if TFC can add another strong TAM signing on the level of Vasquez before February.
I would have preferred for TFC to open with one of the strong Costa Rican contingent as a warm-up for the Mexican sides. Can Colorado be dangerous? Perhaps, but they'll offer little by way of a stylistic warm-up for what playing against and in Mexico will look like.