Sometimes, the away goal rule has been explained like this: if you score a goal on the road, that goal counts for two. That’s just not the case.
The away goal rule comes into play only in the event of a tie.
So looking back at the quarterfinals against Pachuca, the two away goals scored by IMFC in the 2-2 draw in Mexico propelled the MLS club into the semifinals because its opponent scored a single away goal in the 1-1 draw at Olympic Stadium.
So where does that leave the Impact tonight?
With a 2-0 win at home, the Impact goes into the return leg with an advantage: two goals already in the bank and zero goals scored against at home, leaving LDA without the all-important tie-breaking away goal.
What all this breaks down to is this: IMFC will qualify for the finals, which would be a first time ever for a Canadian club, if the team:
Wins by any score line in Costa Rica;
Ties by any score line;
Loses by a one-goal score line (1-0, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, etc.), thanks to the aggregate goal rule;
Loses by a two-goal score line, if the Impact scores at least a goal (3-1, 4-2, 5-3, etc.), thanks to the away goal rule;
A 2-0 loss in Costa Rica would push the game into extra time (two full 15-minute halves) or the eventuality of penalty kicks as the aggregate goal series would still be tied. If the Impact manage a goal in extra time and still lose the game 2-1 or even 3-1 if Alajuelense scores too, Montreal would still advance to the final.
With fingers crossed, a result for IMFC would mean a spot in the finals of the tournament against the victors of the other semifinal between Herediano (Costa Rica) and America (Mexico), with the former holding a 3-0 advantage going into Mexico tomorrow night.
That would mark the first ever appearance for Canada in the finals, just the second time ever for an MLS team. Winning the tournament would then be an opportunity to represent the region at the FIFA Club World Cup against the top clubs from around the world.
The boys in blue are ready… Are you?
