Toronto FC Scouting Report:What has changed with The Reds since?

Montreal Impact - Toronto FC 0-3: Trashing at Stade Saputo

Marco Di Vaio's first MLS game with the Montreal Impact was probably one of the worst starts for a D.P and player in general. With his friend Alessandro Nesta at Stade Saputo to watch his childhood friend play in MLS, it was not the best game to try to sell the club and the league to Nesta. Since then, Nesta signed with the club.

Looking back at that game, let's have a look at the formations on that day

Full Lineups

Montreal : Donovan Ricketts, Zarek Valentin (Eduardo Sebrango 65'), Hassoun Camara, Shavar Thomas, Jeb Brovsky; Patrice Bernier, Felipe Martins, Collen Warner, Lamar Neagle (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 76'); Davy Arnaud, Marco Di Vaio (Sanna Nyassi 55') ...

Substitutes Not Used: Evan Bush, Karl Ouimette, Tyson Wahl, Justin Braun

Toronto : Milos Kocic, Ashtone Morgan, Logan Emory, Richard Eckersley, Jeremy Hall (Nick Soolsma 46'), Eric Avila (Reggie Lambe 73'), Julian de Guzman (Doneil Henry 57'), Torsten Frings, Terry Dunfield, Ryan Johnson, Danny Koevermans ...

Substitutes Not Used: Quillan Roberts, Aaron Maund, Miguel Aceval, Luis Silva

Between injuries (Frings, Koevermans) and trades (De Guzman to FC Dallas, Hassli to Toronto FC), Toronto FC has changed quite a bit. A big core of the team is still there with the young players and some veterans but interesting to remember so many big blockbuster changes for a team that was in turmoil all season long.

TFC's last game against D.C. United

Full Lineup

Toronto - Milos Kocic; Jeremy Hall, Richard Eckersley, Darren O'Dea, Logan Emory; Reggie Lambe, Terry Dunfield, Aaron Maund, Ryan Johnson; Quincy Amarikwa (Quincy Amarikwa 33'), Luis Silva (Eric Avila 86')
Substitutes not used: Freddy Hall, Doneil Henry, Adrian Cann, Dicoy Williams

Even though O'Dea is probably out with an injury (from international duty with Ireland), the O'Dea-Eckersley defensive duo was very interesting to watch. Against D.C. United, the team shifted Ryan Johnson to the midfield and pushed Luis Silva up as a forward, something he is not un-familiar with. You might see Hassli play in this game with Amarikwa out with an injury. The French Designated Player, who came via trade from the Vancouver Whitecaps, is still recovering from an injury himself and might not start the game.

With Ryan Johnson suspended for the game against Montreal, it will be interesting to see where the firepower will come from the Reds. On one side, we might see an advantage for the Impact in the midfield sector but the absence of Felipe will hurt , putting more responsibilities on the midfield as a whole.

If Toronto FC is able to attack from the side and put pressure on the Impact side midfielders and outside backs, that might make life difficult for Montreal to build plays. Dictating the pace of the team outside Stade Saputo has not been the Impact's forte but still showed some good initiatives in a few games. The only hic would come from Montreal's inefficient rate in front of the net. The Di Vaio-Wenger duo has the tools to take on the TFC defence as a whole.