Toluca debuted in the 2024 Leagues Cup with a 3-1 win over Chicago Fire FC on Thursday night at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
The win not only clinched a berth in the knockouts for both Toluca and Sporting Kansas City in group 4 West, it also served notice that Los Diablos Rojos are serious contenders to lift the Leagues Cup.
Toluca midfielder Marcel Ruiz scored twice, and provided a secondary assist on the other goal. Chicago, on the other hand, was eliminated from the tournament despite taking the lead in both of their group games, only to lose both.
The match could not have started better for the Fire. Two minutes after Fire goalkeeper Spencer Richey denied Toluca’s Portuguese striker Paulinho from point blank range, Fire winger Brian Gutierrez latched on to a 50-50 ball off a goal kick and filtered a pass through the Toluca defense. The ball reached the waiting feet of Georgios Koutsias, who finished his shot past a charging Tiago Volpi. After only eight minutes, Chicago was up 1.
The early goal gave the Fire a major boost and came close to another in the 25th minute when Volpi made himself too big for Fabian Herbers’ blast from the right corner of the box.
Toluca took over after that. Much to the delight of the many red-clad Toluca faithful in SeatGeek Stadium.
Four minutes later, Paulinho redirected a Ruiz entry pass with a “dummy flick” through his legs into the path of Jesús Angulo, who waited for Richey to commit before picking his spot. The game was level and Toluca was in control.
Ruiz came close to scoring when his rip from the top of the box flew on the wrong side of the post in the 37th minute. And just before halftime, he chested a pass to Paulinho, whose rocket shot was saved by Richie, but Ruiz chased the rebound and found the back of the net for a 2-1 lead.
After a one-hour weather delay, the second half started much like the first, with Chicago dictating the action. The Fire generated numerous scoring chances in the first 20 minutes, but could not find an equalizer, thanks to Volpi’s heroics.
Then it was Ruiz’ turn again.
The 23-year old Mexican scored Toluca’s third goal off a corner in the 66th minute. He beat Fire defender Tobias Salquist to the ball, drove the header into the ground, and the ensuing bounce flew over the outstretched Spencer Richie.
Toluca next travels to Kansas City where they will determine who takes the top spot in group West 4. As for the Fire, they will have time to get healthier and make a push for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
