There were many reasons why Toronto FC were dominant over Nicaraguan side Real Esteli in their initial meeting last week.
Factors that came into play included: The relative experience advantage of TFC's players versus those of Esteli, the higher payroll for the Canadian champions, and the Reds' employment of a world class player in Torsten Frings.
One factor that was overlooked, at least according to Real Esteli coach Otoniel Olivas, was the playing surface. As in, the finely-manicured pitch at BMO Field was too good, which caused problems for his players.
No, really.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Olivas told reporters after his side's 2-1 loss in Toronto that the Esteli players were not accustomed to such a good field, and that he thinks that the -- ahem -- less-than-perfect playing surface at Estadio Independencia should swing the pendulum back towards the Central American club.
"This could prove to be an advantage next week for [my] players," he told CONCACAF.com through an interpreter.
The scary thing for TFC supporters is that he may be right.
If there's anything that Aron Winter and Bob De Klerk have preached to anyone willing to listen, it's that Toronto will aim to play a possession-based game. We've all seen TFC live and (mostly) die while adhering to that strategy this season, perhaps even stubbornly so.
What worse for a team desperate to reinvent itself as a possession-oriented side than a cow pasture of a pitch and an opponent that is all too happy to play on it?
Keeping in mind that the Nicaraguan champs were handed a precious away goal thanks to a comical gaffe by backup Toronto 'keeper Milos Kocic, the margin of error for TFC to pull off a positive result is very slim. Toronto could advance with a win, of course, as well as a draw of any kind. But a 1-0 loss would send the Reds packing from this year's CONCACAF Champions League before it even really got started, and given TFC's horrendous road record, such a scoreline is a very real possibility.
Pardon the pun.
Esteli, knowing that they are "at home" on what will likely be the worst pitch Toronto will encounter this year, will be looking to hit their visitors quickly. Combined with the usual CONCACAF shenanigans that tend to take place in these types of games, TFC will be up against a much different challenge than what they've faced in MLS so far.
Theoretically, Toronto's superior quality -- and how often do I get to write that? -- should allow them to prevail over whatever is thrown at them on Tuesday night. But remember that many of these players are barely on a first name basis with one-another, and also that very few of them have experienced a Central America CCL match. It could get ugly, and probably will at times.
Regardless, the aim is the same in this match as it is in any other: score a goal.
If Toronto scores first, the series is likely over, as there was nothing on display last week to suggest that Real Esteli have what it takes to claw their way back from a multi-goal aggregate deficit. Even if the Nicaraguan side were to open the scoring, if the Reds pull level they should be able to hold out regardless of the pitch, the hostile crowd, the brutal travel or anything else.
TFC had better hope that all the miles that they've logged over the past couple of weeks -- both in the air and on their bodies -- doesn't hinder their ability to put away a plucky host side. By all rights, Toronto should come out on top and start planning for the group stage.
But we've all seen this movie before. If nothing else, it should be a thriller.
Real Esteli v. Toronto FC
Tuesday, August 2, 2011. 10:00pm EDT.
Estadio Independencia. Esteli, Nicaragua.
Watch: Rogers Sportsnet ONE
Listen: FAN590.com
Rudi Schuller occasionally contributes Toronto FC and Canadian national team content to the 24th Minute. He manages the Euro File here at Canadian Soccer News, and is MLSsoccer.com's beat writer for all things concerning Canada's men's national teams. Follow Rudi on Twitter, @RudiSchuller.