Toronto FC will be looking past tonight's exhibition match at BMO Field against Pachuca from Mexico with good reason.
Not because of the opposition because Pachuca is a skilled side with a proud history that includes three CONCACAF Champions Cup titles and another in the North American SuperLiga.
But TFC is trying to build a proud history of its own as a Major League Soccer club and while a good result against a team like Pachuca would help, it is still a friendly after all with all that it entails.
Besides, there is the matter of a return match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday at Swangard Stadium that is vital in the Canadian championship.
Vancouver, which plays in the United Soccer Leagues, defeated TFC 1-0 at BMO Field on Tuesday for its first victory in the round-robin tournament that includes the USL's Montreal Impact.
Toronto already holds an away victory over Montreal in the tournament that sends the winner into the CONCACAF Champions League that replaces the Champions Cup but a victory next week becomes vital because Montreal already holds two victories over Vancouver.
After the match in Vancouver, Toronto will visit Chicago to play the Fire on Saturday, another important match for both teams.
But first, there is Pachuca, one of two international friendlies at BMO this month with the other July 22 against Independiente of Argentina.
Last year, TFC lost to Aston Villa of England in a friendly at BMO and also lost a key player to injury in the match, Ronnie O'Brien who injured his knee and was out for the season.
The difference this year, TFC general manager Mo Johnston said, is that TFC has more depth. "So it's an opportunity for our fans to see our younger players, which I think is important," Johnston said.
It also gives a chance to players who aren't regulars to play against an excellent team.
Whatever the lineup uses, assistant coach Chris Cummins said the approach to tonight's game is the same.
"They're approaching it exactly the same as they approach every game, with a professional attitude and we want to go out there and do our best and hope we get a result," he said. "There's obviously be some changes, it'll be a chance for some of lads to come in and show us what they can do against quality opposition because that's what they are."
Cummins also coaches TFC's reserve team and many of those players will see action tonight.
Jim Brennan, who is TFC's captain and a defender, said the team will approach tonight's game "in the right way."
Brennan will be suspended for the game in Vancouver because of yellow cards picked up in Toronto's two previous tournament games and figures he might have some playing time tonight. But he expects other regulars will be rested because of the important games that follow.
The game against Pachuca then likely will be a match for players like Abdus Ibrahim, who is 16, and Julius James to show their stuff.
"It's a good one for the young guys as well to make their claim for a spot on the team and push players," Brennan said.