Guadalajara beat Toronto in first leg

Toronto, April 18: Guadalajara Chivas got off to a solid start in the Concacaf Champions League final, defeating Toronto FC, the defending Major League Soccer (MLS) champion, 2-1 in the first leg of the series at BMO Field here.

Rodolfo Pizarro put Guadalajara on the scoreboard early, nailing a goal in the 2nd minute of Tuesday’s match, reports Efe.

Toronto FC’s Jonathan Osorio made it 1-1 with a goal in the 19th minute.

Alan Pulido added the winning goal in the 72nd minute for the Chivas, who were in control of the match from the start.

Toronto, who knocked off Mexico’s UANL Tigres in the quarter-finals and America in the semi-finals of the tournament, were unable to break through Guadalajara’s tough and disciplined defence.

The key to the win was Guadalajara’s ability to control the middle of the field for most of the match.

Guadalajara and Toronto will meet for the second and final leg of the series on April 25 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (IANS)