Toronto FC striker Jozy Altidore responded to a racially abusive message on social media with words of kindness.
U.S. international Altidore shared a message in Spanish that he received after MLS champions Toronto had reached the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals by eliminating Liga MX champion Tigres on Tuesday.
The vulgar message sent to the 28-year-old referred to his skin colour and insulted family members, but Altidore responded by taking the higher ground.
"Thanks for your support and those great words, friend," he tweeted. "I just want the best for you and your family. Greetings."
Altidore and Toronto lost 3-2 to Tigres in Estadio Universitario but went through on away goals after the tie finished 4-4 over two legs.
Toronto is likely to face Club America in the semifinals, with Las Aguilas 4-0 up from last week's first leg over Panamanian club Tauro FC.
"Honestly, we're happy to have gone through but we didn't play well today," Altidore said in Spanish after the game. "We know we did OK but there is more to come from us. We know we have to get better for the next round."
Earlier, the New York Red Bulls eliminated Tijuana to book their place in the semifinals. The results meant that, in one night, MLS clubs had matched their entire previous successes against Mexican teams in the CONCACAF Champions League knockout stage after going 2-18 in ties prior to Tuesday.
The Seattle Sounders can add to that record if they can beat Chivas in Guadalajara on Wednesday night, with the MLS side leading 1-0 from the first leg.
