Champions League for North America starts up again on Tuesday.
Columbus Crew vs Toluca
Columbus Crew Stadium
March 9, 8:00 PM (ET)
Crew are missing their three best players, G.B. Schelotto, Frankie Hejduk, and Chad Marshall. On top of that, MLS teams are just now starting their pre-season. Crew drew 1-1 with KC Wizards last week in Arizona in their final tune up game.
Crew lost in the last round 0-2 to Mexican side Cruz Azul at home (this was when MLS was in mid-season form).
Toluca are missing Edgar Duenas due to card accumulation. Other than that, it seems like they brought their top squad to America. Toluca beat D.C. United 3-1 in Washington D.C. in the last round. And the Mexican league is nine games into their new season. Toluca drew on the road against Atlas over the weekend giving up a very late equalizer. Toluca's last five: D, W, D, W, L
Head referee Courtney Campbell (Jamaica) has previously officiated five games involving Mexican club teams or national team. In those games, Mexico has won four of them including the 3-1 Toluca win over D.C. United. Also, he was in charge of the Gold Cup final in which he gifted Mexico a questionable PK.
Weather should not be a factor as the forecast is in the low 50's for game time tomorrow.
It is hard to imagine the MLS side having a chance in this game. Without Marshall to anchor the backline, they are looking at a Brunner-Iro partnership which is a scary thought for Ohio.
Currently, the odds are Toluca PICK -120. It seems like a pretty safe bet in a game that I am probably the one betting on. I am going with a small play on Toluca in this leg. And then a big play on Toluca in the return leg. MLS sides have only pulled two points on Mexican soil in their 10+ years of competition.
Hope this helped someone.