It may seem a bit odd that a dull 0-0 draw with the Colorado Rapids sets the stage for what may be the biggest match in Toronto FC's 12-year history, but a date with Tigres UANL now awaits the Reds on March 7 in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals - a tilt that Greg Vanney must take seriously.
There are no two ways about it: Winning the Champions League should be the primary concern for this treble-winning Toronto FC side in this calendar year. And it's for that reason the 2018 MLS season opener against Columbus Crew SC, set for March 3, should not feature any of the Reds' starting talents, nor should it be treated as a special occasion.
That's easier said than done, of course. The opening game of any season is a chance for fans to end their patient offseason wait and return to the stands with good cheer - doubly so for supporters of Toronto, who celebrated the club's first MLS Cup victory just 81 days ago.
As a result, Toronto FC has urged that loyal following to pack BMO Field ahead of the 1:00 p.m. ET kick-off, as it prepares to show off and celebrate the trio of trophies earned in 2017. These pregame festivities will rightfully heighten the expectations to perform against the Crew, though Vanney does not need to risk injury to any of his key players in a match that is both winnable and relatively meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
Toronto FC ought to trot out a B-team against the Crew and save its strength for when it's most needed, which is in the first-leg bout with Tigres four days later.
That's not to say Vanney should look to concede three points - though, it could be said the value of those three points isn't quite as weighty in the early goings of a season compared to later on when playoff spots are being contested. In fact, considering the depletion of Columbus' roster, a team of second-string options might prove enough to overcome Gregg Berhalter's side.
The Crew lost their starting left-back Jukka Raitala, left winger Justin Meram, his replacement Kekuta Manneh, and, most crucially, the team traded top-scoring striker Ola Kamara to the LA Galaxy in exchange for Gyasi Zardes.
While it also signed a new Designated Player in Milton Valenzuela and retained important figures such as Federico Higuain, Wil Trapp, and Zack Steffen, one must wonder if too many important pieces have been lost to adequately compete with the Reds this season. You can bet Crew SC will be motivated to show well on opening day of what might be their final season in MLS, as team owner Anthony Precourt considers moving the franchise to Austin, Texas.
But even if they win, does it really matter?
An opening-day loss is hardly too great a sacrifice to make if it means keeping players such as Michael Bradley, Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, and Victor Vazquez feeling fresh, healthy, and ready to go Wednesday against Tigres. There are adequate replacements for players like Justin Morrow, Chris Mavinga, Ager Aketxe, Drew Moor, and Alex Bono among Vanney's ranks, too.
The argument could be made that the Reds need a bit more time to get back to full fitness after the offseason break, but Toronto didn't look worse for wear against the Rapids over two legs.
Toronto FC will need all hands on deck to topple Tigres, and even with a full-strength side, there's no guarantee the Reds won't be blown out by their Mexican opposition, either at BMO Field or over aggregate following the second leg at the Estadio Universitario on March 13.
In any case, Vanney would easily be forgiven if he opted to prioritize next week's match against Tigres and offer players like Jordan Hamilton, Jay Chapman, Ashtone Morgan, Clint Irwin, and some of the lesser-seen Reds stars a chance to shine on opening day.