Second leg to be played on Tuesday, June 27 at BMO Field
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact played a fiercely disputed match against its Toronto FC rival, Wednesday evening at Stade Saputo, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Matteo Mancosu headed the hosts ahead before Jozy Altidore replied for the Reds. The Bleu-blanc-noir thus remains undefeated at home by Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship since the club joined MLS, in 2012.
“I feel it was an even game tonight,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We know that we could have been better in the final third. We had them often on the break but our final pass lacked rhythm. If we would have been more clinical in that area on the counter, we could have hurt them. Still, we did some things well. I think it will be a good game next week. We know we can go over there and score goals.”
A flying start
The old archenemies did not wait long to revive the fire at the heart of this rivalry. The Bleu-blanc-noir started the game with the bit between its teeth, Patrice Bernier looking to connect with Nacho Piatti behind the back line, but the Argentine was offside; then, Blerim Dzemaili sent Matteo Mancosu through, but barely missed the Italian’s feet.
In the 10th minute, Piatti found Mancosu on the left, in the box. His diagonal run forced the Toronto FC goalkeeper, Clint Irwin, to get off his line to cover the angle. The striker was able to turn and send a low cross towards the middle, but no one had followed for Montreal.
Shortly after, defender Wandrille Lefèvre spotted Dzemaili’s run, but his 50-metre pass was just too long for the Swiss international. In the following minute, the Bleu-blanc-noir’s left flank accelerated and combined, Piatti, Dzemaili and Mancosu exchanging passes. The final ball, however, lacked precision.
The hosts open the score, but Toronto replies
In the 19th minute, Laurent Ciman trapped the ball with his chest in the centre circle. He took a touch and unleashed a fierce shot from 40 metres that Irwin palmed over the bar. From the resulting corner, Dzemaili gave the ball to Marco Donadel, whose shot was stopped by Irwin, but Mancosu was quick to react and headed the rebound in the bottom right corner of the goal.
The following ten minutes were packed with action, with a chance for Dzemaili in the box, who was tackled by Chris Mavinga; then, Mancosu, with a cross from the left, created a scoring chance for Chris Duvall in the box. The full-back thought he had been fouled, but referee Silviu Petrescu did not flinch. Finally, Raheem Edwards knocked on Maxime Crépeau’s door, hitting the outside of the woodwork.
Toronto FC hit the mark two minutes later in controversial circumstances. While Daniel Lovitz was on the ground injured, Edwards won an aerial duel and gave the ball to Jozy Altidore, who beat a defender and took a left-footed shot, levelling the score for the visitors.
Many opportunities in the second half
Ten minutes after the break, the Impact had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Launched by Dzemaili, Piatti lobbed Irwin, who had to trip him and offer him a penalty. The Argentine unfortunately sent his penalty over the crossbar.
At the 63rd minute, Hassoun Camara had a chance to take a shot from the left, a curled effort that came close to the top corner. 15 minutes later, Crépeau intervened on an Altidore shot to prevent Toronto to get another away goal.
Then, in quick succession, Donadel, Ballou Tabla and Ciman had opportunities, without being able to finish.
Two players will miss the return leg
Because of the yellow cards given by referee Petrescu, Chris Duvall and Marco Donadel will not be able to play in the second leg of the Canadian Championship final, having accumulated two cautions each during the competition.
Upcoming games
The Impact will play a third consecutive MLS game on the road this Saturday, June 24, at 7:30pm, against Columbus Crew SC (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). Then, the Bleu-blanc-noir will set course for BMO Field for the second leg of the Canadian Championship final, on Tuesday, June 27, at 7:30pm (RDS, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690).
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Maxime Crépeau; D-Daniel Lovitz (Hassoun Camara 32’), Kyle Fisher, Laurent Ciman, Wandrille Lefèvre (Andrés Romero 72’), Chris Duvall; M-Marco Donadel, Blerim Dzemaili, Patrice Bernier (Ballou Tabla 65’); F-Ignacio Piatti, Matteo Mancosu
Subs not used: Evan Bush, Hernan Bernardello, Calum Mallace, Dominic Oduro
TOR – GK-Clint Irwin; D-Eriq Zavaleta, Drew Moor, Chris Mavinga; M-Steven Beitashour, Marco Delgado, Michael Bradley, Jonathan Osorio (Victor Vazquez 62’), Jordan Hamilton (Sebastian Giovinco 62’); F-Jozy Altidore, Raheem Edwards (Justin Morrow 79’)
Subs not used: Alexander Bono, Jason Hernandez, Amando Cooper, Tsubadah Endoh
GOALS
MTL–Mancosu 19’
TOR – Altidore (Edwards) 30’
CAUTIONS
MTL –Duvall 32’
TOR – Hamilton 45’+2’
TOR – Zavaleta 64’
MTL – Tabla 82’
MTL – Donadel 84’
TOR – Mavinga 89’
MTL – Dzemaili 90’
