Music: {allcanada} Toronto FC has hands full with CD Aguila

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

{allcanada} Toronto FC has hands full with CD Aguila

The match

Toronto FC vs. Club Deportivo Aguila, CONCACAF Champions League, group stage

Date and Location

Wednesday, August 1 at 8 p.m. ET, Toronto's BMO Field

Setting the scene

The cliche "must win" gets over-used in sports, but to hear Toronto FC forward Ryan Johnson tell it, the Reds absolutely face a must-win situation against the team from El Salvador in TFC's opening group stage match of the CONCACAF Champions League.

The Reds play their first two games of the round robin at BMO Field, so picking up as many points at home is important, as positive results on the road in El Salvador and Mexico will not be easy to attain.

"This is a game that we have to win. ... We can't overlook anybody but at the same time, we have to know that this is an opportunity for us here," Johnson told the team's official website.

TFC coach Paul Mariner insists picking up maximum points at home is crucial if the team is to advance to the quarter-finals.

"We've got to win the home games," Mariner told the Canadian Press. "They're all difficult games away from home, but we have to take care of this one."

To his credit, Mariner plans to field his first team Wednesday, and won't be resting anybody ahead of the team's league game on Saturday.

It could be a tight game with few goals in light of how the El Salvadorian club prefers to line up.

"They play somewhat of a two markers and a sweeper situation with two protecting in front," Mariner told reporters at Tuesday's training session."It's going to be difficult to penetrate them but I think we have the pace on the outside to get through."

News and notes

Toronto's next Champions League match is Aug. 28 at home against Mexico's Santos Laguna. After that, they visit Aguila on Sept. 25 before travelling to Mexico to play Santos on Oct. 24… Only the winner of this three-team round-robin group advances to the quarter-finals… TFC lost to Santos Laguna in the semifinals of the 2011-12 Champions League… Bermudan goalkeeper Freddy Hall, officially signed by the Reds on Tuesday, could get the start against Aguila. Also, recently acquired forward Eric Hassli might make his TFC debut on Wednesday… Aguila currently sits in fourth place in El Salvador's first division with six points from three matches…

Player to watch for Toronto

Luis Silva: The rookie midfielder has really come on strong the past two months as a bright attacking force for the Reds. Look for him to pull the creative strings against Aguila.

Player to watch for Aguila

Yaikel Perez: Aguila's Cuban-born forward scored in the team's recent league win, and has experience playing in the U.S. during his time with a number of clubs, including the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Key matchup

Luis Anaya vs. Ryan Johnson: Anya is an experienced defender who helps organize Aguila's back line, and it'll be up to him to stop Johnson from carving out scoring chances.

What they're saying

"It's a question of us imposing our power and our system on the opposition. … We won't change our style." -- Toronto coach Paul Mariner told the Canadian Press

What's next

Toronto returns to MLS action on Saturday when it visits the Chicago Fire.