Toronto FC just finished the best Concacaf Champions League run in MLS history. They didn't win, but they came as close to winning the thing as possible. A lot of blame will fall at the feet of Michael Bradley, both because his miss was so bad aesthetically and because of the USMNT's recent failings.
Rafa Marquez means more to Atlas fans than some lesser family members. Probably.
The 39-year-old defender began his professional career at the Guadalajara club, making 77 appearances from 1996-1999. He left and played for Monaco, Barcelona, New York Red Bulls, Leon and Hellas Verona before returning home in 2016 to finish his career at Atlas.
Look how Atlas fans responded to Marquez making his final appearance at the Estadio Jalisco on Friday, in the Clasico Tapatio no less:
The Chivas vs Toronto CONCACAF Champions League final has divided soccer aficionados in Mexico. Of course every Guadalajara fan is all in for their team, and even some other Mexican soccer enthusiasts have expressed their solidarity with them.
However, not everyone in Mexico is longing for a Chivas victory.
That did not go as planned for Toronto FC. Having just knocked mighty Club America out of the Concacaf Champions League, the reigning MLS champions surely figured to have an easier time of it against Chivas Guadalajara in the final. Chivas are having a terrible season domestically, but for some reason have been kryptonite for MLS clubs in the CCL.
They were again, handing Sebastian Giovinco and friends a 2-1 defeat in Toronto and taking a solid lead back to Mexico for the second leg.
Rodolfo Pizarro opened the scoring just a few minutes in the game.
Toronto FC are in the final of the Concacaf Champions League, where they will face Chivas Guadalajara, after fighting Club America to a 1-1 draw at Estadio Azteca to brush past the Mexican powerhouse 4-1 on aggregate.
Despite an early injury to Jozy Altidore that caused the striker to leave the game, Toronto struck first via Jonathan Osorio.
An extremely strong contingent of Guadalajara supporters inside Red Bull Arena watched their side hang on for the narrowest of victories on Tuesday night, Chivas doing just enough to retain their 1-0 first leg advantage over New York in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals despite being outshot 20-1 in the second.
The air was thinner across Mexico this last weekend. Or at least that's what you'll think after watching the following absolutely amazing long-range goals.
A screamer is always exciting. There is something about watching the ball travel at full speed through the air and then piercing the net.
In Liga MX, this kind of goal is infrequent.
Chivas beat the New York Red Bulls 1-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League semifinals. The Goats were the only Liga MX team (out of three, Club America didn't play an MLS side because LOL FC Dallas) to beat an MLS side in the quarterfinals, and it appears they still want blood.
Chivas's Isaac Brizuela was awarded the Rocket League Goal of the Game award, which is the award you get if you score the only goal in the game.