Before this week, only two MLS teams had ever overcome a Mexican club in the knockout rounds of the CONCACAF Champions League.
That number doubled on Tuesday night.
Following Tuesday's second legs, the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC each won their respective 2018 CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) quarterfinal series against Mexican opposition to advance to the tournament semis.
The Red Bulls ousted Liga MX side Club Tijuana 5-1 on aggregate goals to earn their first-ever CCL semifinal berth, while Toronto FC advanced to their second-ever semifinal by eliminating defending Liga MX champs Tigres on the away goals tiebreaker after the teams finished tied at 4-4 on aggregate goals.
Prior to the feats by RBNY and Toronto FC, only two MLS clubs had ever succeeded in getting past Mexican opposition in 20 all-time head-to-head knockout round matchups. The Seattle Sounders (vs. UANL Tigres in 2012-2013) and the Montreal Impact (vs. Pachuca in 2014-2015) also did it in the quarterfinal stage.
MLS clubs have now reached the CCL semifinal stage a total of nine times in the 10 editions played since the new format was adopted in 2008-2009 (see full list below).
MLS clubs in CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals:
2008-2009: |
<em>none</em> |
2009-2010: |
<em>none</em> |
2010-2011: |
<strong>Real Salt Lake</strong> (won vs. Saprissa 3-2 on agg.) |
2011-2012: |
<strong>Toronto FC</strong> (lost vs. Santos Laguna 7-3 on agg.) |
2012-2013: |
<strong>LA Galaxy</strong> (lost vs. Monterrey 3-1 on agg.)<br><strong>Seattle Sounders</strong> (lost vs. Santos Laguna 2-1 on agg.) |
2013-2014: |
<em>none</em> |
2014-2015: |
<strong>Montreal Impact</strong> (won vs. Alajuelense on away goals, 4-4 on agg.) |
2015-2016: |
<em>none</em> |
2016-2017 |
<strong>FC Dallas</strong> (lost vs. Pachuca 4-3 on agg.)<br><strong>Vancouver Whitecaps</strong> (lost vs. Tigres 4-1 on agg.) |
2018: |
<strong>NY Red Bulls</strong> (vs. Seattle or Chivas)<br><strong>Toronto FC</strong> (vs. Club America or Tauro) |
Beginning in 2018, the CONCACAF Champions League tournament was scheduled to be played a single calendar year.
