TORONTO – The Montreal Impact lost 4-2 against Toronto FC on Wednesday night at BMO Field in its semifinal first leg in the Amway Canadian Championship, entryway to the CONCACAF Champions League.
Jonathan Osorio and Jordan Hamilton both grabbed braces against Montreal, who had Patrice Bernier sent off before halftime. But Michael Salazar, with his first professional tally, and Didier Drogba scored goals that could prove costly for TFC in the second leg, on Wednesday, June 8.
With this 4-2 result, the Impact can qualify for the final next Wednesday with a win by three goals or more, or with a two-goal win – given that TFC score no more than one. Another 4-2 result would translate into extra time.
“We came back with goals by Michael and Didier, and we’re still in this, but this game is a big disappointment,” said head coach Mauro Biello. “We made several mistakes. We got better in the second half, but we’ve got a lot of work to do before next Wednesday.”
Two away goals for Impact despite loss
Salazar got on the score sheet in the 86th minute. After chesting the ball down on the right, Drogba sent a pinpoint cross onto the head of Salazar, whose attempt left no chance to goalkeeper Clint Irwin.
Drogba then added the second Montreal goal in stoppage time, on a free kick. After suffering an Osorio foul by the Toronto penalty area, Drogba punished TFC with a perfect strike to Irwin’s right.
“I’ve been watching Didier Drogba play since I was a kid,” said Michael Salazar. “Having him provide the assist for my first career goal is a dream, but we go back home down two goals. We have more work to do next Wednesday.”
Toronto FC had opened the scoring 13 minutes in. A cross from the left by Ashtone Morgan evaded everyone in the box but Osorio, who settled the ball before beating goalkeeper Eric Kronberg to his right.
Osorio completed his brace in the 34th minute. Mo Babouli crossed from the left, but the ball was only partially cleared and landed at Osorio’s feet. Out of balance, Kronberg couldn’t recover to stop the shot.
The Impact suffered a blow in second-half stoppage time. On a 50-50 challenge in midfield, referee David Gantar sent Patrice Bernier off for a slide tackle on Daniel Lovitz, who sprang to his feet to twice put his hands on Bernier but was not disciplined.
Toronto scored a third on the hour mark. Babouli headed the ball down to Jordan Hamilton, who took some touches in the penalty area before scoring with his left.
Hamilton tallied the fourth himself in the 80th minute. A cutback from Steven Beitashour found Hamilton, who beat a marker before placing a low shot home.
“We’ve rallied back from tougher situations,” said Hassoun Camara. “This was a tough game in the early going, and we saw that, with such an approach, we’re absolutely not the same team.”
Upcoming game
The series will conclude with the home leg at Stade Saputo on Wednesday, June 8, at 7:30pm (RDS2, TSN, 985sports.ca & CJAD 800). Excellent individual tickets are still available on impactmontreal.com.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé (Cameron Porter 79’), Hassoun Camara, Wandrille Lefèvre, Kyle Fisher; M-Patrice Bernier, Kyle Bekker, Lucas Ontivero (Eric Alexander 46’), Ignacio Piatti, Dominic Oduro (Michael Salazar 67’); F-Didier Drogba
Subs not used – GK-Evan Bush; D-Maxim Tissot; M-Harry Shipp, David Choinière
FC Montreal player
TOR – GK-Clint Irwin; D-Ashtone Morgan, Eriq Zavaleta, Nick Hagglund, Steven Beitashour; M-Benoit Cheyrou (Jay Chapman 76’), Daniel Lovitz (Brian James 84’), Jonathan Osorio, Marco Delgado, Mo Babouli (Malik Johnson 81’); F-Jordan Hamilton
Subs not used – GK-Alex Bono; D-Damien Perquis, Drew Moor, Justin Morrow
GOALS
TOR – Osorio (Morgan) 13’
TOR – Osorio 34’
TOR – Hamilton (Babouli) 60’
TOR – Hamilton (Beitashour) 80’
MTL – Salazar (Drogba) 86’
MTL – Drogba 90’+1’
CAUTION
TOR – Irwin 90’+1’
EJECTION
MTL – Bernier 45’+2’
