CCL: Toronto FC Moves To Group Stage

CCL Group Stage Awaits Toronto
Ryan Johnson scored two goals and Toronto FC’s defense did the rest on Tuesday night, as the Reds topped Real Estelí F.C. 2-1 in the second game of the teams’ CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round series in Estelí, Nicaragua to advance to the tournament’s group stage.

Johnson scored on a gorgeous strike from distance in the 37th minute and then buried a breakaway chance after Real Estelí goalkeeper Carlos Mendieta muffed a clearance in the 47th minute to help TFC lock down a 4-2 series win on aggregate goals. The Reds won the two-game series opener 2-1 last week at BMO Field.

The win was Toronto’s first ever on the road in CCL play, and good enough to launch them into Group C when play opens later this month. TFC join a group with Mexican side Pumas, Panamanian group Tauro and the winner of FC Dallas and El Salvador’s Alianza FC. FC Dallas boast a 1-0 lead heading into the series finale on Wednesday night at Pizza Hut Park.

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