Toronto FC knew things would be tough on Tuesday for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions League semifinals against Mexican giant Club America at the famed Azteca Stadium.
The situation only got worse when Jozy Altidore went down with injury just over five minutes into the match. TFC was already missing starters Victor Vazquez, Justin Morrow and Chris Mavinga, and high-priced offseason acquisition Gregory van der Wiel exited after just 45 minutes.
The Canadian club needed heroic performances from the remaining players, and no one stepped up more than goalkeeper Alex Bono.
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With America pouring numbers forward in a desperate attempt to erase Toronto's 3-1 lead from the first leg, Bono was put into the line of fire. The Mexican side registered 29 total shots, with seven of those on goal.
Bono was equal to the task, and the 23-year-old was forced into making a pair of jaw-dropping stops in order to maintain a 1-0 TFC lead for much of the match.
The first came in the 28th minute, when Bono reacted quickly to swat a powerful diving header from point-blank range.
27' - ALEX. BONO.#TFCLive | #AMEvTOR | #SCCL2018 @torontofc pic.twitter.com/oJ7RwPCsHQ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 11, 2018
Bono would again turn away a headed attempt on goal in the second half, palming a 63rd-minute effort by Alejandro Díaz over the crossbar.
63' - @Alex25Bono makes another huge save for @torontofc!#TFC maintains their 1-0 lead, 4-1 on aggregate, over #ClubAmérica#TFCLive | #AMEvTOR | #SCCL2018 pic.twitter.com/WjXtwfe6iu
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 11, 2018
Unfortunately for Bono, his shutout bid was denied in stoppage time after America converted a penalty, but TFC escaped with a 1-1 draw and advanced to the final by virtue of a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Toronto will face Chivas of Guadalajara in the two-legged final, with the first leg scheduled for next week at BMO Field.