MONTREAL – Before kicking off the 2014-2015 CONCACAF Champions League Tuesday night, the Montreal Impact (3-12-5) will play its derby against Toronto FC (7-7-5), this Saturday at 5pm at Stade Saputo (RDS, TSN, TSNRadio690).
“The rivalry goes back many years,” stated Impact head coach Frank Klopas. “We are excited to play this game.”
“The season hasn’t gone the way we planned, but everyone is getting up for this game,” said midfielder Calum Mallace. “It’s a big rivalry and if we win, it will help lift some spirits around here.”
Toronto FC will be at Stade Saputo with revenge on its minds as it lost to IMFC earlier this year in the Canadian Championship final.
However, TFC roster will be a little different than the one that faced the Impact in June as US midfielder Michael Bradley was away on national team duty and speedy Dominic Oduro was acquired in recent weeks from the Columbus Crew.
TFC defender Warren Creavale made his first start with his new team on Wednesday since being acquired from the Houston Dynamo, while captain Steven Caldwell is out for the season due to injury.
“They have a lot of pace and are a very good game in transition,” explained Klopas. “They are good on set pieces and have a lot of speed with Jackson and Oduro out wide. With (Jermaine) Defoe and Gilberto in the mix, and Michael (Bradley) in the middle, it’s a different challenge. We have to make sure we are good with the ball and our shape is good.”
Currently in fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, TFC has had their fair share of struggles in recent weeks, going winless in four MLS games (0-2-2), including a 3-0 midweek drubbing at the hands of D.C. United at RFK Stadium.
“If we can shut down the middle and be aggressive about it, we can win the game,” said Mallace.
The Impact will then host C.D. FAS (El Salvador) on Tuesday night, at 8pm, in its first CONCACAF Champions League game.
GAME NOTES
- Midfielder Justin Mapp has recorded three career goals and four assists in MLS, as well as two goals and one assist in Amway Canadian Championship play against Toronto FC.
- Striker Jack McInerney has two goals, two assists and one game-winning goal in seven career games against TFC.
- Canadian midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran started the season with Toronto FC, scoring two goals in five regular season games, including two starts in 235 minutes before being acquired by IMFC in return for Collen Warner. This will be his first game against his former team.
- Defenders Karl W. Ouimette (4) and Hassoun Camara (7) are one caution away from receiving an automatic one-game suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
