How Toronto FC used home advantage in huge win over Tigres

TORONTO - Around 72 minutes into Wednesday's tie with Tigres UANL, it looked as though a timid pitch invader was daring himself to dash across Toronto FC's morass of a football pitch. That was until it became clear he was moving back and forth to frantically stamp down divots in the southwest corner.

His efforts were largely ineffectual, but he and other members of the TFC grounds crew's inability to produce a lawn for the MLS and Mexican champions was unintentionally key in the host's 2-1 defeat of Tigres.

Tigres began the match with their trademark possession-based football under Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti, pinning Toronto back in the early stages, but the effectiveness of that strategy lessened as the pitch was chewed and spat out by the studs of 22 players.

"We've played on the pitch for a couple of games now and I think there's a time and a place to play, and it's probably not in front of your goal and trying to do too many things out of the back when the opposition is pressing you," manager Greg Vanney told theScore.

He added: "I thought that's what pushed the game forward a little bit more for us. In our defensive half, we were a little bit more committed to getting the ball forward and playing and getting into our strikers and getting into their half of the field."

Importance of Delgado and Osorio

Victor Vasquez's intricate passes wouldn't have had the same zip and accuracy on this surface, so the questionable fitness of the benched Spaniard - Vanney stated post-match that he still isn't ready to play 90 minutes - actually worked into TFC's favor.

Michael Bradley was marooned as the Columbus Crew repeatedly found space between the lines in Saturday's humbling 2-0 home loss but, in Vazquez's stead, he was protected by two tireless operators in Marky Delgado and Jonathan Osorio.

Delgado put in an all-action showing and jabbed a first-time pass for Jozy Altidore's 60th-minute equalizer, before Osorio stole the show with some late party tricks.

Both were instrumental in the victory; their work rate and defensive graft fitting seamlessly into the playing environment and ensuring TFC enjoyed home comforts.

"They started to abandon trying to play through the pressure and started trying to the ball over the top, too," Vanney explained of Tigres' approach. "I think both teams recognized it, we just recognized it a little bit earlier than they did because we've been here the last couple of games."

TFC needed to attack in the second half - taking a draw to Monterrey would've given Vanney's side an uphill task - and did so in a direct style in keeping with the surroundings. The solitary shot in the opening period was contrasted by 12 after the break, and gambles were taken - passing accuracy dipped and seven shots were attempted from outside the area - when the opposition was likelier to commit errors. The gifted Vazquez being among the substitutes meant there was less aestheticism from TFC, but those who were selected played with professionalism and pragmatism.

Tigres' passes went astray, but Delgado's first-time prod conveniently spun on the uneven ground and into the path of goal-scorer Altidore. TFC seemed to have the lay of the land.

"That's not the ideal pitch that we want to play on, but we dealt with it better than they did," Delgado agreed.

Most difficult challenge awaits

"There's no use crying about it, there's no use complaining about it, there's no use feeling sorry for yourself," Bradley said of the conditions post-match. "If you want to get anywhere in this tournament, these are the things that you have to deal with."

Unfortunately for Toronto, the second leg should prove more difficult. The 42,000-capacity Estadio Universitario will be packed full of Tigres' traditionally working-class following - a support that's often credited as unique in Mexico due to the bonds that forge between the team and fans - and they are accustomed to seeing results after an unbeaten run of 13 matches at home.

TFC may not need to acclimate at all in next Tuesday's second leg, though, if match-winner Osorio's trust in his team's approach is justified.

"We have to just take that going into Mexico, have no fear that we're over there, and play the same way that we did here in Toronto."

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)