Forge FC dropped the first game of its round-of-16 CONCACAF Champions League matchup with Mexican heavyweight Cruz Azul.
The visitors from LIGA MX squeaked out a 1-0 win over the two-time Canadian Premier League champions on Wednesday night at Tim Horton’s Field.
The only goal came in the 31st minute when Venezuelan midfielder Rómulo Otero slotted a ball past keeper Triston Henry.
Advancing to the next round becomes more difficult for Forge with the return leg at Mexico City’s historic Azteca Stadium on Feb. 24.
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Forge qualified for the round of 16 by virtue of making the semifinals of the 2021 CONCACAF League, a feeder tournament that Forge has taken part in the last three years.
Cruz Azul is already five games into the Mexican season and stands fourth in the table with a 3-1-1 record.
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