TORONTO, Ontario – The Montreal Impact will compete for its first-ever berth to MLS Cup, this Wednesday night, when it faces Toronto FC on the banks of Lake Ontario at BMO Field. Kickoff for this Eastern Conference Championship decider is scheduled for 7pm on RDS (pregame show at 6:30pm), TSN, FS1, Fox Deportes, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690 (pregame show at 6pm).
The Impact took a 3-2 lead to Toronto from the home leg and would make it to MLS Cup at Seattle Sounders FC with a win or draw on Wednesday. A defeat by more than one goal – or a 1-0 or 2-1 loss – would knock Montreal out, while losing by one goal while scoring at least three would send the Bleu-blanc-noir into the Cup final. Should TFC lead 3-2 after 90 minutes on Sunday, the teams would play two 15-minute extra time periods in their entirety, followed by a penalty shootout if the aggregate score remains tied.
“We’re looking to play a balanced and smart game,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We’re getting ready for all kinds of moments. We have to be aware of everything, and we must not change our objective or our mentality. We have to be strong as a group and keep playing our game.”
Canadian soccer history to be made
With its first-leg win last Tuesday at the Olympic Stadium, the Bleu-blanc-noir is now looking to become the first Canadian team in history to reach the final, 20 years after the first edition of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
As a result of Seattle Sounders FC’s win over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, this Cup final will also be the first one not to involve clubs that took part in MLS’ inaugural season in 1996. Seattle joined the league in 2009, while Toronto and Montreal did in 2007 and 2012, respectively.
“We can make history,” said defender Laurent Ciman. “Everyone has to understand that we have to be 200-percent focused, as you don’t get to play this type of game every day. A golden opportunity is in front of us, and we hold the keys. We have to be ready from the start.”
The Impact hasn’t lost since the last game of the regular season on October 23 in New England. After defeating D.C. United 4-2 in Washington on October 27, the Bleu-blanc-noir beat the New York Red Bulls in consecutive games in the Conference Semis and then took the lead in the Conference Championship with a home leg win at the Olympic Stadium.
Joint top scorer in these playoffs with four goals, forward Matteo Mancosu is also tied for first with the Sounders’ Nelson Valdez with two game-winners. Dominic Oduro, meanwhile, has picked up an assist for a second straight game, and his total of three assists is good for first in the playoffs, tied with three other players. Nacho Piatti, for his part, has scored two goals and delivered an assist in his last two games.
First win at BMO Field
On August 27, the Bleu-blanc-noir picked up its first-ever win at TFC, defeating the Reds 1-0 with a Nacho Piatti goal, at the 12th time of asking since joining MLS in 2012. The Impact had previously made it to the Canadian Championship Final with a 3-2 loss at Toronto (3-3 on aggregate) and grabbed a memorable 1-1 draw there on July 22, 2008, advancing to the CONCACAF Champions League.
In 19 regular-season and MLS Cup Playoffs games on the road this year, the Impact has gotten 13 results that would see the team move on to MLS Cup on Wednesday.
“We adapt to all situations,” said defender Hassoun Camara. “We know that we can do even better. If we want to reach our objective, we can’t let anything go, and we have to work hard. We’re ready for that, which is a good sign. This is a team that likes to compete.”
Toronto’s 3-2 loss at Montreal was its first in four MLS Cup Playoffs games. Forwards Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco have each scored four goals and are tied with Mancosu and Seattle’s Nicolás Lodeiro at the top of the scoring charts.
In all competitions, Dominic Oduro has registered seven goals and three assists against Toronto. Nacho Piatti has scored four goals and delivered four assists, while Patrice Bernier’s career stats against Toronto stand at two goals and six assists.
Following game
Should the Impact win the Eastern Conference Championship, MLS Cup will take place at CenturyLink Field against Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, December 10, at 8pm EDT.
