Pregame: Canadian Championship Montreal Impact vs Toronto FC

Another significant matchup will be added to this deep-rooted rivalry. Wednesday, June 21^st the Impact will host Toronto FC in what will likely be another hard fought and controversial match. The first of a two-leg affair the Impact needs to start off on a good note.

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The last game between these two camps dates back to last season in the playoffs. It was a heated leg between the two clubs with many goals, many controversial situations and for the Impact it ended in disappointment. Maxime Crépeau said that ‘’players have that game still in their mind; they remember that feeling in the locker room after the second game.’’ This may create a hunger for them not to drop the game like they had done last year. It is obvious that players are aware of this rivalry and like playing in these games. Even for a newcomer to this rivalry, Duvall, he said: “It’s something I’ve heard about and watch from afar so it’ll be fun to get my first experience of it and get one of those games under my belt”.

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The Impact’s job won’t be easy as Toronto is playing some of their best soccer this season. Currently leaders in the MLS, Toronto has been putting up dominating numbers with nine wins, two losses, and five draws. The Impact will need to put up a stronger performance defensively than their two previous matches because of the offensive strength of Toronto.

On the other hand, the Impact will need to put pressure on Toronto’s defense which will force Michael Bradley to drop back defensively. It is likely to see a lot of Bradley as he is suspended for their league game this Friday. One player, the Impact will be happy not to see is Tosaint Ricketts who is out with a hamstring strain. Ricketts is a player who has been known to score clutch goals and the Montreal defense struggles to control his play.

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It will be interesting to see the formation that Mauro Biello chooses and who makes the starting lineup. With the rule of three Canadians needing to be in the starting 11 and the Impact not having many options since Louis Béland-Goyette/David Choinière are injured and Ballou Tabla/Anthony Jackson being questionable, not many options are left; Patrice Bernier, Shamit Shome, Maxime Crépeau and Wandrille Lefèvre.

With Toronto in town, the Impact needs to be on their A game and that is what fans will be expecting. Tickets are still available for this match up and I would recommend fans to get some as this will be a good match, as it always is between these two teams.