Mount Royal Soccer - Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact : Pre-Game EditionLa Vie en Bleuhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50925/mrs-fav.png2012-10-19T15:32:33-04:00http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/rss/stream/32863552012-10-19T15:32:33-04:002012-10-19T15:32:33-04:00Scouting The Reds from T-Dot: What has changed?
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<figcaption>Richard Wolowicz</figcaption>
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<p>It has been more than 3 months since both clubs faced each other and a lot has changed since. With the bad memory of getting eliminated from the ACC and getting trashed at Stade Saputo, revenge is not out of the question. </p> <h3>
<a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Impact</a> - <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto FC</a> 0-3: Trashing at Stade Saputo</h3>
<p><span>Marco Di Vaio's</span> 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 <span>Alessandro Nesta</span> 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.</p>
<p>Looking back at that game, let's have a look at the formations on that day</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1581139/Screen_Shot_2012-10-18_at_4.08.27_PM.png"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1581139/Screen_Shot_2012-10-18_at_4.08.27_PM_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Screen_shot_2012-10-18_at_4"></a></p>
<p>Full Lineups</p>
<p>Montreal : <span>Donovan Ricketts</span>, <span>Zarek Valentin</span> (<span>Eduardo Sebrango</span> 65'), <span>Hassoun Camara</span>, <span>Shavar Thomas</span>, <span>Jeb Brovsky</span>; <span>Patrice Bernier</span>, <span>Felipe Martins</span>, <span>Collen Warner</span>, <span>Lamar Neagle</span> (<span>Sinisa Ubiparipovic</span> 76'); <span>Davy Arnaud</span>, Marco Di Vaio (<span>Sanna Nyassi</span> 55') ...</p>
<p>Substitutes Not Used: <span>Evan Bush</span>, Karl Ouimette, <span>Tyson Wahl</span>, <span>Justin Braun</span></p>
<p>Toronto : <span>Milos Kocic</span>, <span>Ashtone Morgan</span>, <span>Logan Emory</span>, <span>Richard Eckersley</span>, <span>Jeremy Hall</span> (<span>Nick Soolsma</span> 46'), <span>Eric Avila</span> (<span>Reggie Lambe</span> 73'), Julian de Guzman (<span>Doneil Henry</span> 57'), <span>Torsten Frings</span>, <span>Terry Dunfield</span>, <span>Ryan Johnson</span>, <span>Danny Koevermans</span> ...</p>
<p>Substitutes Not Used: <span>Quillan Roberts</span>, <span>Aaron Maund</span>, <span>Miguel Aceval</span>, <span>Luis Silva</span></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p> </p>
<h3>TFC's last game against <a href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">D.C. United</a>
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1580893/Screen_Shot_2012-10-18_at_3.05.38_PM.png"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1580893/Screen_Shot_2012-10-18_at_3.05.38_PM_medium.png" class="photo" alt="Screen_shot_2012-10-18_at_3"></a> <br id="1350591396663"></p>
<p>Full Lineup</p>
<p>Toronto - Milos Kocic; Jeremy Hall, Richard Eckersley, <span>Darren O'Dea</span>, Logan Emory; Reggie Lambe, Terry Dunfield, Aaron Maund, Ryan Johnson; <span>Quincy Amarikwa</span> (Quincy Amarikwa 33'), Luis Silva (Eric Avila 86')<br>Substitutes not used: Freddy Hall, Doneil Henry, <span>Adrian Cann</span>, <span>Dicoy Williams</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2012/10/19/3522438/toronto-fc-montreal-impact-scouting-report-game-previewSofiane Benzaza2012-10-19T15:03:03-04:002012-10-19T15:03:03-04:00Three Questions with Waking The Red: Post-Mortem
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<figcaption>Tom Szczerbowski</figcaption>
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<p>Duncan Fletcher , of Waking The Red, answers my questions about the upcoming weekend game between Montreal and Toronto at BMO field. We talk rivalry, a look at the future and a glimpse at the post-mortem for both clubs.</p> <p> </p>
<p><b>Question 1 : Long time no see Waking The Red friend :-) . </b></p>
<p><b>So Duncan, it seems that the <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Impact</a> and <a href="https://www.wakingthered.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto FC</a> are playing this weekend. Did this supposed rivalry not pick up any momentum at all or what? </b></p>
<p><b>I myself was not a believer in this potential rivalry to happen overnight but what spark does it need at this point? A <span>Eric Hassli</span> - <span>Matteo Ferrari</span> clash?</b></p>
<p>I think you're selling it a bit short really, especially from the TFC side of things. We've been looking for a better rival than Columbus for a long time, and i think the amount of fans that travelled to that game at the big O speaks to that. TFC managament have offered to pay for a ticket and limited transportation to the season opener at the big O for everyone who renews their season ticket, so there could well be a big crowd again.</p>
<p>It would be stronger on our side of things if the team was more competitive, it really has crushed any kind of optimism or fight out of all but the hardiest of souls. Even with that, there were plenty of fans hoping Montreal would keep that run of good form going just enough to keep their playoff hopes alive so they could be crushed in Toronto.</p>
<p>If it ever gets to a stage where both teams are doing well and fighting for playoff spots or more it'll really heat up. Or, you know, if Impact fans trash our stadium again, that'll build the bad blood. It'll come, give it time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Question 2: </b></p>
<p><b>a) How have the newcomers satisfied you in the short-term and long-term as a whole? </b></p>
<p>The mid season transfer window was pretty underwhelming really, we got a mix of the mediocre and the overpriced. <span>Andrew Wiedeman</span>, <span>Quincy Amarikwa</span> and Freddy Hall showed themselves to be fringe MLS players at best. <span>Darren O'Dea</span> is a decent signing, and he's improved the defence. Then you see his salary, over $400,000 guaranteed and realise we paid way too much to get him, the sort of salary that will hinder our attempts to build real depth in the squad as a whole over the long term. As for the short term, well we haven't won a game since he arrived, and while that's by no means entirely his fault, it hasn't been a raging success.</p>
<p><b>b) The biggest name among the new-comers would be Eric Hassli. Any interest from fans and media to see him sign back with Toronto FC?</b></p>
<p><b></b><br>Hassli was a very exciting signing at the time, but it was a curious one, a panic buy, a rental for a season that was already done (for those who may argue otherwise, if <span>Danny Koevermans</span> didn't get injured, would he have been brought in? No.). He was injured when we signed him and has picked up further injuries so hasn't ever really got going, though he definitely improves the team when he is out there. It should be interesting to see if he is brought back, there was talk of trying to negotiate a non-DP deal and that would be ideal, but if he doesn't sign then that 2014 1st round pick we gave Vancouver will look awfully foolish.</p>
<p><b>Question 3: Without wanting to start the official post-mortem with you, Toronto FC was already giving chances to younger players early in the season. With many changes and trades, is the plan any different for the last 2 games of the season? </b></p>
<p><br>Every game there's always talk of playing for pride and a place on the team next year, but every game there's only a certain amount of players who get given that chance. <span>Paul Mariner</span> seems to have already decided who he likes and who he doesn't like, and it seems like there's plenty of youngsters in the 'doesn't like' pile, while there's a few who keep getting played no matter what. Barring injuries, <span>Ashtone Morgan</span>, <span>Luis Silva</span> and <span>Aaron Maund</span>, Andrew Wiedeman and <span>Reggie Lambe</span>, all relative youngsters will be out there. Academy graduates and soon to CSL stars <span>Oscar Cordon</span> and <span>Keith Makubuya</span> will not.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Once again a big thank you to Duncan and all the crew at Waking The Red for helping Mount Royal Soccer integrate the realm of SBNation blogging and MLS. You can read my awesome duper answer to Duncan's questions at this <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wakingthered.com/2012/10/19/3525910/montreal-impact-toronto-fc-preview-patrice-bernier-davy-arnaud">magical link</a>.</p>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2012/10/19/3525728/three-questions-with-waking-the-red-rivalry-post-mortem-editionSofiane Benzaza2012-10-19T09:25:32-04:002012-10-19T09:25:32-04:00TFC - Impact: Pre-Game Notes & Lineups
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<figcaption>Richard Wolowicz</figcaption>
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<p>An overview of probable lineups, the latest injury report and some game notes to prepare you for the game between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact.</p> <h4>Referee Crew</h4>
<p>Jose Carlos Rivero -- AR1 (bench): Craig Lowry -- AR2 (opposite): Brian Dunn -- 4th: Sorin Stoica</p>
<p>Jose Carlos Rivero rings a bell? He was the referee for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> 4-2 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a>. <span>Adam Moffat</span> knows him well by now as he was red carded by Mr. Rivero after a clumsy, dangerous tackle on <span>Felipe Martins</span>.</p>
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<h4>Possible Lineups</h4>
<p><b>Toronto FC:</b></p>
<p>Kocic ; J.Hall - Eckersley - O'Dea - Morgan ; Lambe - Dunfield - Maund - Avila ; Silva - Wiedman</p>
<p><b>Montreal Impact :</b></p>
<p><b></b><span style="text-align: center;">Perkins ; Brovsky - Ferrari - Camara -Arnaud ; Nyassi - Mallace- Bernier - Warner ; Wenger - Di Vaio</span></p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Injury Report</h4>
<p><b>Toronto FC</b></p>
<p>OUT: GK <span>Stefan Frei</span> (L lower leg); FW <span>Danny Koevermans</span> <span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>(L knee ACL tear); DF <span>Ty Harden</span> (lower abdominal strain); MF <span>Torsten Frings</span> (L hip); MF <span>Matt Stinson</span> (R quadriceps strain); FW <span>Keith Makubuya</span> (L ankle sprain); FW <span>Quincy Amarikwa</span> (L hamstring strain);</p>
<p>QUESTIONABLE: FW <span>Eric Hassli</span> (R ankle sprain) ...</p>
<p><b>Montreal Impact</b></p>
<p>OUT: DF <span>Nelson Rivas</span> (L knee surgery); MF Felipe <span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>(sports hernia); FW <span>Bernardo Corradi</span> (L knee ACL tear)</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Disciplinary Summary</h4>
<p>Suspension: <span>Ryan Johnson</span> (TFC) , Jesse Marsch (Impact)</p>
<p>Warnings (suspended next yellow card): Eric Hassli, Torsten Frings (TFC)<span style="line-height: 9px;"> ; </span> <span>Sanna Nyassi</span> (Impact)</p>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2012/10/19/3524428/toronto-fc-montreal-impact-probable-lineups-injury-report-game-notesSofiane Benzaza2012-10-18T09:12:21-04:002012-10-18T09:12:21-04:00Montreal - Toronto : Will this ''Rivalry'' happen?
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<figcaption>Richard Wolowicz - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>We hear about the New York Red Bulls - D.C. United I-95 Derby, the famous Cascadia Cup but what ever happened to the Montreal-Toronto, Toronto-Montreal rivalry, derby? Was it too early to declare and want a derby between both clubs?</p> <p>401 Derby was the most popular used term to describe games between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wakingthered.com/">Toronto FC</a>. We can try to describe it, we can try to create it in the media and within the fans, but I just do not get that feeling of rivalry between both clubs. Building a </p>
<p>With no big incidents (nothing violent please), ideological clash, or meaningful games, the '' 401 derby '' is still kilometers away from growing into a rivalry that crosses boundaries, players, coaches and eventually generations.</p>
<h3>Parallel paths...never to cross meaningfully </h3>
<p>The Montreal Impact , as an expansion team, was quickly focusing on taking care of themselves in the process of growing as an expansion team. With 4 losses and a a draw in the club's first 5 games, Montreal had its first historical MLS win against Toronto FC on April 7th 2012, a 2-1 win. The 3 points were more important than anything else and nothing came out of it as per special intensity, animosity between players and such.</p>
<p>On the other side, Toronto FC was just too busy not drowning as a club in the midst of 0-9 run in MLS.</p>
<p>Paths did cross during the 2012 Amway Canadian Championship semi-finals that resulted in a 0-0 draw in Montreal and a 2-0 win for TFC in Toronto. Maybe the Voyageurs Cup could be the spark and trigger towards a rivalry that could transpose itself in MLS action.</p>
<h3>The spark that I am still waiting for</h3>
<p>With no ideological clash between both clubs, you would hope for a clash between coaches and/or players that would just be the spark, the setup for a future rivalry. Did the <span>Patrice Bernier</span> tackle on <span>Ryan Johnson</span> trigger something between both players?</p>
<p>At this point, there are no apparent signs of animosity, hate or anger between players and/or coaches. </p>
<h3>Rivalry through the Academies?</h3>
<p>Both U21 teams play in the Canadian Soccer League and recently the Montreal Impact eliminated Toronto FC in the CSL quarterfinals playoffs.</p>
<p>If you assume that some players from both academies make the big team and face each other in a few years in MLS action, could that be the beginning of a rivalry? Is it possible to see animosity from the Academy days between players from the Academies and see it translate into the MLS realm?</p>
<p>From my standpoint, I see more of a rivalry between the Montreal Impact and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> as per different incidents between both clubs. From the '' Ching-Gate '' to both teams handing humiliating wins over the other, you can feel some hate and some humph between the sides.</p>
<p>Like in any good North American sports setup, rivalries are made in the playoffs and not to be too pessimistic, that could take a while to see the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC to meet in the playoffs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What do you think of a potential rivalry between both clubs? Do you see the fans having a part in it</p>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2012/10/18/3519018/montreal-impact-toronto-fc-rivalry-previewSofiane Benzaza