In 2017, Toronto FC won the MLS Cup, Supporters Shield and Canadian Championship. That year, Club Atlético Independiente won promotion to the top flight in Panama.
Just over a year later the two sides met in the opening match of the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. It was Independiente's first time in the tournament and the club's first time to represent Panama in an international tournament. After Tuesday night, it's safe to say Toronto FC and MLS fans will remember the name.
Toronto FC entered the start of its season without three of the key contributors for the past few seasons. Jozy Altidore is still recovering from ankle surgery. In an ugly exit, Giovinco moved to Al-Hilal FC in Saudi Arabia and slammed his former club over its handling of his contract negotiations. And Victor Vazquez was sold to Al-Arabi in Qatar.
However, five of the starters from the MLS Cup victory in 2017 were still on the pitch Tuesday night — the entire midfield three, one center back and the keeper. The surprise name on the teamsheet was 2019 draft pick, Griffin Dorsey, playing on the right of the attacking three. But that's not to say the rest of the lineup was inexperienced. Justin Morrow has more than 200 MLS starts, Ashtone Morgan has been with Toronto since 2011 and Laurent Ciman has been one of the league's best defenders for the past four seasons.
Yes, it was still in Toronto's preseason, but it's known about the schedule for months. Yes, the team started a draft pick, but there was plenty of experience on the pitch. Yes, the players had to travel to a new location in Panama, but last season the club navigated those hurdles all the way to the final.
Ultimately, TFC was poor on the night, underestimating its opponent, and Independiente displayed the passion indicating it had taken the match and competition more seriously.
Highlights: @caipanama stuns @TorontoFC with a 4-0 win over the 2018 finalists#CAIvTOR #SCCL2019 pic.twitter.com/od3Nt5s7Sl
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) February 20, 2019
Independiente Put On A Show Against Toronto FC
Independiente struck first, taking the lead in just the ninth minute on a no-look strike that beat the Toronto defender and keeper by Abdiel Ayarza. It should have been the MLS side that took the early lead, drawing a penalty that new signing Terrence Boyd stepped up to take. He blasted it over the bar with a poor attempt, leaving questions as to why he was the chosen PK taker with Ciman and Jonathan Osorio on the pitch.
The early Independiente goal should have served as a wake-up call to Toronto to take its opponent more seriously. Instead, it seemed to give further confidence to the home side. An amazing strike by Omar Browne in the 48th minute was the highlight of the night. Romeesh Ivey put in the third just four minutes later, which effectively killed off the match.
Ivey was the man of the match with two goals and an assist.
Toronto will have to adjust to Independiente's 4-4-1-1 system, which dominated the midfield. In fact, all four goals came from the midfield four.
The two sides meet for the second leg in Toronto on Feb. 26, when TFC will need 5 goals and a clean sheet to advance. Altidore's status still looks unlikely, but the MLS side will be rested while Independiente plays in its domestic league on Saturday.
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