When the Columbus Crew travel to Estadio Nemesio Diez for the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday, the Major League Soccer side will not only be attempting reach the semifinals, but also make history.

No MLS squad has ever won a competitive match on Mexican soil and just two - Houston Dynamo and D.C. United - have come away with a draw in 19 games. D.C.'s draw came in the group stage - at Toluca.

"It's tough to compete against Mexico and their resources, but there's no reason MLS teams can't be
advancing and really seriously competing for this tournament," Columbus goalkeeper Will Hesmer told MLSnet.com. "If MLS is going to be one of the top leagues, we need to start winning and showing well in these tournaments."

The aggregate series is tied 2-2 after the Crew rallied from a two-goal deficit last week behind Steven Lenhart's second-half pair after Antonio "Sinha" Naelson and Antonio Rios struck to give Toluca the edge at halftime.

"We proved we can score goals against a good, organized team," Columbus coach Robert Warzycha said. "Overall, our fitness was pretty good."

The same, however, cannot be said for Columbus' most recent signing, Colombian forward Sergio Herrera, who signed with the team on February 5.

"Because Sergio did not have a team since November, his fitness was not sharp when he came to us," Warzycha told the Columbus Dispatch. "He needed a little more time to adjust, but he's doing well."

While it's unlikely Herrera steps on the field for the second leg, Columbus should be bolstered by the return of Argentine playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto and American international Frankie Hejduk, both of whom were suspended for the opening leg because of an accumulation of cautions.

While Columbus is still 12 days away from its MLS opener, Toluca returned to league action on the weekend, losing to Cruz Azul 3-2, snapping a four-game unbeaten streak in the Mexican Clausura.

Argentine striker Emanuel Villa scored twice, including the game-winner, and Maxi Biancuccchi scored and set up two goals to lift Cruz Azul to its third consecutive victory.

Toluca, which had its home unbeaten streak snapped at 26 games, is now fourth in Group 1 with 11 points, four behind Queretaro.

Chilean forward Hector Mancilla struck in the 27th minute and Sinha added a goal nine minutes later. Sinha had an opportunity to virtually assure victory, but he missed a penalty before Villa scored the winner.

"It is my fault…this loss is 99 percent my fault," Sinha said.