Match Preview: Escaping The Island(ers)

TORONTO FC VS. PUERTO RICO ISLANDERS
BMO Field - Wednesday 8:00PM EST
TV: GOL-TV

Who's wants to sing the song? "THE CHAAAAAMPIONS!" Just like UEFA - but poor. It's CONCACAF Champions League! Wednesday is the night where Toronto FC and their supporters finally get to feel what its like to be Sparta Prague or FC Copenhagen. Champions of their nation - but not a good enough nation to get past the doorman and go straight into the party. It's the ever dangerous preliminary round - a home and home matchup where anything can happen. TFC will take on the bright orange Caribbean menace that are Puerto Rico Islanders at BMO Field with the return date scheduled for August 4th at PR's Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium. Winning the two game series would be the beginning of an exciting continental trip - like a footballing National Lampoon's Vacation. However, if TFC underestimate PRI like a USL weakling (see Vancouver), it could be a terribly sad and unfulfilling trip - like a footballing National Lampoon's European Vacation.

PUERTO RICO ISLANDERS 0-0-0 (CCL)
USL side Puerto Rico showed a great affinity for Champions League play in the 08/09 tournament marching all the way from the preliminary to the Semi-Finals only to lose to Mexican powerhouse Cruz Azul in extra time. Currently sitting in 3rd place in the USL, the Islanders are a very solid team with a definite flair for offensive play. PRI's manager is Northern Irishman Colin Clarke, most famous for his spell as a player at Southampton where he scored 36 goals. Clarke took over PRI in 2008 and brought in a host of new faces whom have gelled quickly. The danger-men that TFC will have to keep in check include ex-Lecce defender, Italian-American Christian Arrieta who leads the team with 7 goals playing from the back; Northern Irish hardman midfielder Jonny Steele (also possibly a superhero alias) who is PR's version of Carl Robinson; and very solid goalkeeping in the form of American Bill Gaudette, formerly of Columbus Crew and apparently on Team USA's radar. Definitely not a USL also-ran and a foe that could prove much harder for Toronto than Vancouver or Montreal.

TORONTO FC 0-0-0 (CCL)
Well, here it is. The boys have grown up and are leaving the friendly confines of North America and tread gingerly into their first continental competition. Manager Chris Cummins and the players who have been in Europe will understand the pitfalls of international cup play and will know that they need a far better performance than they put out in the last two MLS matches. Things won't be made easier with injuries to Amado Guevara, Adrian Serioux and Nana Attakora. The defence, without Serioux and Attakora is especially suspect but perhaps former Islander Marco Velez can narc his old team and shine in a great chance at redemption. This is not the right time to criticize Mo Johnston's team building. However, I am not feeling fair - Mo, you should have seen this coming. If TFC can get past PRI and make the group stage, this club's roster is not deep enough to handle another six matches. Let me guess - you're trying to loan a River Plate player you saw last week right? For now, The Reds' attack has to say "ola" to the net a lot and pray to Saint Andrea of Lombardo that Islanders don't get any away goals.