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The eyes of several MLS clubs will be on two of their own Tuesday night as Toronto FC and the New York Red Bulls try to get past Liga MX sides and into the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League final.
It would be historic of both clubs made it – there’s never been an all-MLS Champions League final.
If just one MLS team makes it, it’ll battle to become the first MLS side to win the CONCACAF Champions League title.
It’ll be tough for both sides. Toronto leads Club América 3-1 after the first leg in Toronto, but must hold on in Estadio Azteca. The Red Bulls are down 1-0 to Chivas de Guadalajara, but return home to Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, for the second leg.
The Red Bulls play at 8 p.m. and Toronto gets started at 10 p.m. (both times Eastern).
Sacha Kljestan, who was traded from the Red Bulls to Orlando City before the start of this season, said it would be important for an MLS club to win the title.
“I think we’re all sick and tired of watching the Liga MX teams dominate us in all those,” he said. “I think Toronto has a very good chance to come away with a good result after winning 3-1 at home. Red Bulls coming back home also have a very good chance after only conceding one at Chivas.
“Tonight’s going to be very important for our league. I think we’re all pulling for both teams to make it to the final.”
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Orlando City coach Jason Kreis said it’s still early, but the performances of the two remaining MLS clubs in the Champions League have been encouraging.
“Some of the years prior, I felt we were just completely outmatched and completely outgunned in the quality of players and the number of quality players,” he said. “Watching it this year, I feel differently.
“You need to do that over multiple years and we also need to win some games [Tuesday].”
Kljestan said MLS clubs have continued to get better.
“Obviously, every season is different, but when you look back when Salt Lake made the final and almost won it against Monterrey all those years ago, that was a big step forward for us,” he said. “Then it seems we came back a little bit as the Mexican teams have continued to win.
“Yeah, I believe we’re going in the right direction.”