For the most part it was a meaningless game. About six years ago, in the Central American club championship, Honduran giants Olimpia took a 3-0 first leg lead against Nicaragua’s Diriangen home with them. So, when the visitors won 2-1, to drop the tie 4-2, there weren’t too many losing sleep.
We don’t know how the Nicaraguans felt, but you would hope they enjoyed the moral victory. See, it’s the only international win of the last 10 years for Nicaragua. In total, clubs from the country are a dismal 1W 4D 18L during that time, and on three occasions have not been allowed to enter teams into international competition because of stadium deficiencies.
This is the situation that Toronto FC faces when it takes on Real Esteli starting Wednesday. It’s been a while since the Reds were clear favourites in a game, but, based on strong evidence, they will be in these two games. If Aron Winter plays his starters there is literally no excuse to not win easily.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Although Nicaragua has never played a MLS side, interestingly, they also drew Canada the last time it was permitted to play in the CCL. Montreal Impact fans will remember their club edging Real Esteli 1-0 on aggregate in 2008. Those that watched that tie will remember that Real Esteli performed exactly as you would expect them to – bunkering, looking for the odd counter and wasting as much time as possible. So, be prepared to be frustrated Wednesday Reds fans.
Real Esteli has no players of note and play in likely the second worst domestic league in CONCACAF outside of the Caribbean. Yes, Toronto has been poor at times this year, but suggesting that they won’t win this tie is farfetched.
If they don’t, serious questions need to be asked.