TORONTO, Ontario – Finalist of the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League, the Montreal Impact sets out on the path leading back to that competition this Wednesday at BMO Field against Toronto FC in the first leg of their Canadian Championship semifinal tie, starting at 7:30pm EDT (RDS, TSN, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690).
Canadian clubs can only qualify for continental competition through the Canadian championship. The winning team will lift the Voyageurs Cup and represent Canada in the 2017-18 CONCACAF Champions League.
“We’re taking on Toronto, and we know that every game against them is important,” said head coach Mauro Biello. “We’ll miss certain players, but we’ll approach this game as we approach all games. This is a two-legged series, and we have to get a result.”
Shooting for a first win at BMO Field
Having secured its first-ever MLS win against the LA Galaxy in spectacular fashion, last Saturday at Stade Saputo, the Impact wishes to leave Toronto with a win for the first time in its history. However, Montreal has had some degree of success at BMO Field, qualifying for the 2015 Canadian Championship final on TFC’s home field thanks to two away goals and clinching the Voyageurs Cup there in 2008.
Canadian champion in 2013 and 2014, the Impact was defeated in the 2015 final, having already reached the Champions League final in April 2015 against Club América, the most successful team in the competition’s history.
“The players that were here last season remember our great journey,” said Impact captain Patrice Bernier, who could play his 1,000th Canadian Championship minute for the Impact on Wednesday. “It all begins with the cup. We want to start off this competition well, as it can lead us to great heights.”
The Bleu-blanc-noir will miss key defensive pieces once more. Centre back Laurent Ciman is currently with the Belgium national team, which will play Euro 2016 in France. Full backs Ambroise Oyongo (Cameroon national team) and Donny Toia (injured) will also be unavailable.
In midfield, Johan Venegas (Copa América Centenario with Costa Rica) and Marco Donadel (injured) will miss this game. David Choinière, who has tallied a goal and an assist with FC Montreal in USL play, will be part of the Impact squad at BMO Field on Wednesday.
Some worries up front for TFC
Toronto FC sits in sixth position in the MLS Eastern Conference after playing its first eight games on the road due to renovations at BMO Field. Since they returned home, the Reds have posted a 1-1-2 record.
In its last game, TFC lost 3-0 at New York Red Bulls and saw top scorer Sebastian Giovinco come off with an adductor strain. However, head coach Greg Vanney has yet to rule out Giovinco for Wednesday.
“In the tougher moments, we stood strong instead of collapsing,” said goalkeeper Eric Kronberg. “We want to go back to the Champions League, and our morale is great. We want to start the Canadian Championship well on Wednesday night.”
Forward Jozy Altidore is still dealing with a hamstring injury and will be unavailable. Michael Bradley, TFC’s leader in midfield, is currently on national team duty with the United States ahead of Copa América Centenario.
Decisive game
This series will conclude with the home leg at Stade Saputo on Wednesday, June 8, at 7:30pm (RDS, TSN, 98,5fm & CJAD 800). Excellent individual tickets are still available on impactmontreal.com.
