Toronto FC announced Wednesday it will move the opening leg of a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against the LA Galaxy from BMO Field to the Rogers Centre on March 7.

“A lot of thought went into selecting the home site for this very important match,” said TFC Senior Director of Business Operations, Paul Beirne. “Ultimately the decision came down to our ability to deliver a safe and enjoyable event in a venue that could withstand the unpredictability of March’s weather.”

The controversial selection follows a 2009 decision by the Montreal Impact to move a match against Santos Laguna from Saputo Stadium to Olympic Stadium, drawing more than 55,000.

Toronto travels to the Galaxy's Home Depot Centre on March 14 for the return leg with the aggregate winner advancing to the tournament's semifinals against either Santos Laguna or the Seattle Sounders.

The Reds qualified for the competition's last eight on the final day of group play when a 3-0 win at Dallas in October lifted them to a top two finish in a group that included Mexico City's Pumas and Panama's Tauro F.C.

The tournament's winner advances to next year's Club World Cup against other continental winners, including the UEFA champion.