"My players have hot blood," said Matías Almeyda before this game. Chivas followed Luis Miguel's advice in "Do You Love Me?" and played big, like champions, with luck, yes, because you find luck by shooting at goal. Don't blame the rain, while other Mexican teams left Toronto complaining about the weather, El Rebaño imposed itself on the snow and won.
"Two away goals and the CONCACAF Champions League title getting closer."
"Toronto 1, Chivas 2."
Chivas sent their best available players to the BMO Field and despite playing with three substitutes, the team showed character and dominated the match at times, but couldn't be lethal in front of Bono's goal.
Chivas came out to eat Toronto alive from the first moment of the match and soon found the goal. El Rebaño came out with high pressure and before two minutes of play, they had already scored the opening goal.
The Guadalajara team opened the scoring with a throw-in play, Cisneros set up 'Conejo' Brizuela, who sent a deadly diagonal, Alan Pulido opened his legs for the ball to pass, and Rodolfo Pizarro scored the first goal with his right foot. A right hook to the jaw from Chivas, knockout by the dressing room in the cold of Toronto. Chivas struck first.
El Rebaño had the upper hand, the advantage on the scoreboard, and the momentum, but a couple of unforced errors from Chivas leveled the match.
The Canadians matched the flow of the match, and within a few minutes, they equalized the game.
Michael Pérez lost in the direct duel, not the player he was marking, they opened the ball to Brazilian Auro Junior, who beat Alejandro Manuel Mayorga and sent a low cross that 'Guacho' Jiménez couldn't cut out, and Osorio arrived at the far post to equalize the match.
Chivas wasted a dream start, in an inconsequential play, Michael Pérez, Mayorga, and Miguel Jiménez made mistakes, the equalizer returned confidence to Toronto and the match changed drastically.
Chivas got lost with Osorio's goal and on two occasions the home team had the opportunity to turn the tide. Giovinco from a free kick and Altidore in a play inside the box had chances for the second goal, but Miguel Jiménez grew bigger, recovered from the mistake, and saved his goal.
In the 42nd minute, Altidore was one-on-one with 'Guacho' Jiménez, Oswaldo Alanís lost his mark, and the Guadalajara goalkeeper stretched his left leg and sent it for a corner, a save from the rojiblanco goalkeeper. The first half ended with Toronto knocking on Chivas' door, a miraculous draw for Chivas in the cold of Canada.
The second half started as the first half ended, with the home team seeking the go-ahead goal and with Chivas defending like a cornered cat, an impossible mission to maintain the draw in Toronto.
Chivas had the chance to regain the advantage, Orbelín Pineda with the ball controlled outside the box and shot across goal, but Bono saved and gave a rebound to the center, but the defender arrived first and cleared the ball for a corner. Chivas showed that they still had chances to score the winning goal.
The home side took risks and searched for the goal eagerly, Giovinco attempted from long distance, but 'Guacho' saved and despite giving a rebound, Chivas' defense arrived in time to clear the ball. Then, in the 58th minute, Junior entered the area almost in front of Miguel Jiménez and shot with his right foot, missing the goal for the reds and the hosts lamented this incredible miss.
The game was impossible for El Rebaño and 'Pelado' made an offensive change and brought in 'Chofis' López looking for the difference. A direct free kick in favor of Chivas, Alan Pulido saw Bono off his line and sent a cross shot, the ball went over Bono and it was a goal for Chivas. Lady Luck dressed in red and white and Alan, who had scored one goal in eleven games, appeared again in the most crucial moment and scored for Tamaulipas. With 15 minutes left, the tapatíos had the result in their favor.
Pulido's goal left the hosts reeling, it was a masterful play. Chivas won away from home and has everything in their favor to be crowned at home.
GPE