MLS side Toronto FC caused shockwaves by eliminating Mexican champions Tigres from the CONCACAF Champions League. Danny Lewis watched it unfold.
Toronto FC vs Tigres UANL. MLS vs Liga MX. Sebastian Giovinco vs André-Pierre Gignac. This clash of CONCACAF’s titans brings up plenty of interesting storylines, which interlink to make the greatest of plots. The fact that they were champions of the two biggest leagues in the region last season, makes it feel as though this has come prematurely and could have easily been a final, making it one of the most highly anticipated games at this stage for a long time. Add to this the fact that MLS sides seem to be catching up with their Mexican counterparts and we have an interesting proposition on our hands. However, like all great narratives, it is the characters at the centre of the story who can truly reel you in. Grab your popcorn and settle in.
Giovinco and Gignac are both European attackers, who have left their domestic leagues for the first time in their careers, moving to the CONCACAF region. They have both found success to this point following their respective moves, but they each have one thing that is missing. When anyone leaves their comfort zone for new lands in any well thought out narrative, there always has to be one end goal. The priceless jewel that they strive to obtain. For these two, the big prize that has eluded them so far is the CONCACAF Champions League.
Allow me to introduce the two main characters of this piece, beginning with Giovinco. The man known as the Atomic Ant grew up in Turin. His love for football developed in the mud cages near his one-bedroom apartment, which he shared with his parents and younger brother. After a year of playing on the unforgiving surfaces, he was brought into the Juventus academy, where he was moulded by their winner-producing-machine, while becoming an ever-present in Italy’s youth ranks. In the end, he was made an outcast by the Old Lady and following loan spells with Empoli and Parma was sold to Toronto FC in 2015.