TORONTO — A date with Mexico’s Pachuca in Leagues Cup play offers Toronto FC a welcome albeit difficult new challenge.

“Everyone’s excited, to be honest,” said Toronto defender Nickseon Gomis. “Because it’s a cup.”

“Personally I’ve never played against a Mexican team so I’m looking forward to it,” added the 22-year-old Frenchman.

For Toronto coach John Herdman, Sunday’s game at BMO Field is another chance to focus on football rather than the drone spying scandal involving the Canadian women at the Paris Olympics. Canada Soccer has pointed the finger at Herdman, a former Canadian men’s and women’s coach, for having started the practice of spying on rival teams, with an independent investigation now underway.