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Dwayne De Rosario
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| Photo: Bob Frid |
Toronto FC was eliminated from 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League tonight after an 0:0 draw with the Puerto Rico Islanders. Toronto FC lost the two-match series 0-1 on aggregate. It was just last week that Toronto FC lost 0:1 on home turf in the opening match of the preliminary round.
Toronto FC qualified for CONCACAF Champions League after winning the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship. Toronto FC finished first ahead of Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Impact de Montréal.
Puerto Rico Islanders, who last year reached the semi-final stage in CONCACAF Champions League, now advances to Group C of the 2009-10 campaign. Puerto Rico striker Kendall Jagdeosingh scored the lone goal of the two-match series with Toronto. Puerto Rico joins Columbus Crew, Deportivo Saprissa and the winner of the CD SC Cruz Azul-CS Herediano series. CD SC Cruz Azul and CS Herediano conclude their series on Wednesday night.
Toronto FC's best chance in the return leg on Tuesday night may have been the shot that Danny Dichio fired against the post in the dying minutes. The away side, though, had plenty of chances before that, too. Puerto Rico goalkeeper Bill Gaudette made several saves for his second-straight clean sheet of the competition.
The 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League runs July 2009 through April 2010. After this week's preliminary phase (return leg), there will be 16 teams remaining in the competition. Only one team can win the championship and qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup.
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