Toronto FC crash out of CCL as comeback bid falls short

There will be no enthralling run to the final of the CONCACAF Champions League this season for Toronto FC.

After a humbling 4-0 loss to Panamanian side Club Atletico Independiente de la Chorrera last week, the Reds couldn't undo the damage in the second leg of their round-of-16 encounter.

Only able to muster a 1-1 draw on a frigid Tuesday evening at BMO Field, last year's finalists bowed out of the tournament following a 5-1 aggregate defeat.

Jordan Hamilton sparked hopes of a comeback when he opened the scoring with a looping header in the 19th minute. But even though TFC dictated play and crafted a handful of quality chances, they wouldn't get any closer.

A Laurent Ciman error allowed Omar Browne to tie the game in the 67th minute. The Belgian misjudged an aerial ball, and his wayward header opened the door for Browne to waltz in on goal and easily round Alex Bono.

The Canadian club, once again without star striker Jozy Altidore as the American recovers from an ankle issue, will look to bury this disappointment quickly, as Toronto FC's 2019 MLS campaign begins on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Last season's grueling involvement in the CCL clearly hampered Greg Vanney's men in MLS play. If nothing else, there will be no such concerns this time around.

For Independiente, meanwhile, the memorable triumph paves the way for a matchup with either Sporting Kansas City or Toluca in the quarterfinals.