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.
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.