TORONTO, Ontario - The Montreal Impact fell to Toronto FC 2-1 at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon, as part of MLS Rivalry Week, after the Bleu-blanc-noir’s rally came up short with the ejection of Laurent Ciman in the 77th minute. In the loss, Dominic Oduro scored his 7th of the season.
"We made two mistakes and we paid for it. That’s difficult on the road," said head coach Frank Klopas. "It’s difficult, but I’m proud fo the way the group played, especially a man down and coming from behind from 2-0, we never gave up. We have to find the same focus all game that we had in the final 30 of this game."
Despite IMFC having the better chances in the game’s opening 30 minutes, it was Toronto who took advantage of its first real opportunity in the 35th minute when midfielder Jonathan Osorio played a low, lateral cross to Michael Bradley near the spot. The U.S. international just turned his foot and redirected the ball far post, past the outstretched arms of Eric Kronberg.
Toronto doubled its lead in the 54th minute when Jozy Altidore volleyed home a rebound off of an Osorio shot that hit the crossbar.
Dominic Oduro, who had a number of chances throughout the game, finally capitalized after a nice passing play between Ambroise Oyongo and Andrés Romero led to the Ghanaian’s one-timer square to goal in the 74th minute.
Unfortunately, the rally came up short when Laurent Ciman was shown a second yellow on a questionable foul in the 77th minute.
The first half was a tale of missed opportunities for the bleu-blanc-noir, finding at least four good looks at goal, including a goal line clearance and a saved breakaway by TFC keeper Chris Konopka on Oduro, 20 minutes apart.
''Even if we created some good scoring chances and we played well even at a man down, we still lost this game and not earning at least a point is unfortunate,” said midfielder Maxim Tissot. ''We missed important scoring chances on the road and that hurt us.”
"It was hard to finish this game with a man down, but we need to finish our chances,” added Dominic Oduro. "I take responsibility today because I missed some to put this game away. We need to get back home and try to correct it."
The Ghanaian had anther chance in the 69th minute as he sped past his defender on goal, but Konopka came charging out to block the shot, impeding Oduro yet again.
The Impact’s next match is set for Stade Saputo on Saturday, September 5, at 8pm, against the Chicago Fire. Purchase your 5-Game Pack to secure your seat for every remaining home game of the 2015 season, starting at just $85.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Ambroise Oyongo, Victor Cabrera, Laurent Ciman, Donny Toia; M-Marco Donadel, Calum Mallace, Maxim Tissot (Justin Mapp 58’), Johan Venegas (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 58’), Andrés Romero (Eric Miller 80’); F-Dominic Oduro
Subs not used: GK-Maxime Crépeau; D-Wandrille Lefèvre; M-Nigel Reo-Coker, Eric Alexander
TOR – GK-Chris Konopka; D-Ahmed Kantari, Daniel Lovitz (Ashtone Morgan 46’), Josh Williams, Justin Morrow; M-Benoit Cheyrou (Jozy Altidore 33’), Collen Warner, Jonathan Osorio, Marco Delgado, Michael Bradley; F-Sebastian Giovinco (Robbie Findley 51’)
Subs not used: GK-Joe Bendik; D-Eriq Zavaleta; F-Herculez Gomez, Luke Moore
GOALS
TOR – Bradley (Osorio, Giovinco) 35’
TOR – Altidore 55’
MTL – Oduro (Romero) 74’
CAUTIONS
TOR – Warner 24’
MTL – Ciman 45+2’
MTL – Cabrera 56’
MTL – Oduro 90+4'
EJECTION
MTL – Ciman 77’
