Toronto_-_chivas
Midweek roundup

Toronto disappoints, plus lots of news from abroad

After two great wins over Tigres and Club America, Toronto FC disappointed in the first leg of the final against Chivas de Guadalajara. Elsewhere, things are looking positive for U.S. Olympic hopefuls Tim Weah, Erik Palmer-Brown, and Marlon Fossey. 
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
April 18, 2018
9:00 AM
THE FIRST LEG of the CONCACAF Champions League final could not have gone any worse for Toronto FC which lost at home to Chivas de Guadalajara by a score of 2-1. Elsewhere, there were a few Americans in action from abroad.

Here are some thoughts

Toronto FC Disappoints


After defeating Tigres and Club America in the previous two round of the Champions League and winning both legs at home, expectations were high for Toronto FC against a weaker Chivas de Guadalajara.

But that was not the case as a very well-coached Chivas team will return to Mexico with a 2-1 advantage. This essentially means that Toronto will have to defeat Chivas by multiple goals in Mexico. Playing in front of a full stadium at altitude, that is highly unlikely as Chivas has not conceded a goal at home so far against MLS teams in this tournament.

What went wrong? In the game’s opening minutes, Toronto suffered a terrible defensive breakdown and it came from an unlikely person in Chris Mavinga. The Congolese-international had only recently returned from an injury but was very good in the away leg at Tigres in the quarterfinal.

After Toronto equalized, the second Chivas goal was on a mistake from goalkeeper Alex Bono who was exceptional in both legs against Club America.

In these games, with away goals of enormous importance, mistakes are extremely costly and Toronto was guilty on several occasions. When combined with wasting a few good chances, Toronto likely cost itself a chance at the title.

Palmer-Brown impresses


Earning his second start for Kortrijk in Belgium on Tuesday, American defender Erik Palmer-Brown made the most of his opportunity going a full 90 in a 2-1 win over Oud-Heverlee.

This is the playoff round and Kortrijk is aiming for a spot at Europa League playoff. To get there it will have to win its group of six. Currently, Kortrijk is in second place and trails leaders Zulte-Waregem by a point. Kortrijk will face Zulte-Waregem on Friday in what will be a very important game.

Weah in for PSG vs. Bordeaux?

Now that Paris St. Germain is out of the Champions League and has clinched Ligue 1, there is a good chance that he could get regular playing time the last five games. The New York native is slated to be on the bench in Wednesday's Cup match vs. Caen


Fossey’s new deal

Fulham’s American fullback Marlon Fossey has had a rough year. An injury forced him out of the 2017 U-20 World Cup and then he was out of action for most of this season.

But the London club offered him a new deal today and the American will remain with the Cottagers for the foreseeable future. Fossey is yet to play for Fulham’s first team but has been a regular with the London club’s youth teams in previous seasons.

A fullback with pace, Fossey is an aggressive offensive player dating back to when he developed as a winger. Looking ahead to the U.S. U-23 Olympic team, Fossey’s completion at right back is likely Reggie Cannon of FC Dallas, Kyle Duncan of the New York Red Bulls, Brooks Lennon of Real Salt Lake, Sergino Dest of Ajax’s U-19 team, and Manny Perez of NC State.

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