TORONTO, Ontario – The Montreal Impact lost 1-0 to Toronto FC, Sunday at BMO Field. Striker Jozy Altidore scored the only goal of the game.
“We did enough to get at least a point today. We created many scoring chances against the top team in the league, in its stadium,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “It's a disappointing result, because I think we played well. The players gave everything to come back from behind.”
Fast-paced from the start
The rivals exchanged quality scoring chances right from the start. The Bleu-blanc-noir knocked on the door at the third minute, after a cross deflected by TFC keeper Alex Bono found its way to Romero’s feet, who tried lobbing the keeper, only for the ball to be deflected wide.
Three minutes later, Justin Morrow, from the left flank, found an unmarked Marco Delgado at the top of the box. His subsequent shot railed the crossbar to the left of Impact goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
The Impact thought they earned a free-kick in the 16th minute after Matteo Mancosu dribbled past a nonplussed Chris Mavinga, forcing him to trip Mancosu, but referee Ted Unkel turned a blind eye. Toronto took advantage and counter-attacked with pace, Delgado passing the ball into Altidore’s feet, who took it first-time, leaving Crépeau with no chance.
Mancosu got his best chance of the game in the 20th minute. Crépeau’s clearance ended evading Toronto’s back four, leaving Mancosu alone in front of Bono, who made the reflex save.
During first half stoppage time, Toronto earned a penalty shot after Sebastian Giovinco went down in the 18-yard box. He hit the post, but the referee whistled for the penalty to be retaken, as Crépeau had moved off his line too early. Giovinco’s second attempt hit the post as well, and the Impact finished the half down by only one goal against all odds.
Good opportunities in second half
Five minutes into the second half, Blerim Dzemailli received the ball at the top of the box following a Montreal corner and quickly passed to Cabrera, outside the box. The Argentinean defenseman’s strike was powerful, but bounced off both posts, before Mancosu put the rebound into Bono’s outstretched arms.
In the 67th minute, Salazar’s cross found a streaking Mancosu in the box, whose one-time volley found its way into the arms of a well-positioned Bono.
“We created some good chances and we kept possession well at certain times and took advantage. We know we had some good chances but we weren't able to convert them. It hurts, because at the end of the day, it's another loss.”
Final game
The Impact will put an end to their 2017 campaign at Saputo Stadium on Sunday October 22 at 4pm, where they’ll take on the New York Revolution. (TVA Sports, TSN, 98,5fm, CJAD 800 – TICKETS). It will also be captain Patrice Bernier’s last ever game, as he is set to retire at the end of the season. An array of celebrations are planned to highlight the career of the Brossard native, before and after the game, in honor of Supporter’s Day.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Maxime Crépeau; D-Hassoun Camara, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Shaun Francis; M-Samuel Piette, Hernan Bernardello (Patrice Bernier 71’), Andrés Romero, Blerim Dzemaili, Ballou Tabla (Michael Salazar 62’); F-Matteo Mancosu (Dominic Oduro 78’)
Unused Substitutes – Evan Bush, Deian Boldor, Shamit Shome, Louis Béland-Goyette
TOR – GK-Alex Bono; D-Chris Mavinga, Drew Moor, Eriq Zavaleta (Jonathan Osorio 70’); M-Justin Morrow, Victor Vazquez, Michael Bradley, Marco Delgado, Nicolas Hasler (Steven Beitashour 75’); F-Jozy Altidore (Benoit Cheyrou 86’), Sebastian Giovinco
Unused Substitutes – Clint Irwin, Armando Cooper, Benoit Cheyrou, Raheem Edwards, Tosaint Ricketts
GOAL
TOR – Altidore 16’
CAUTIONS
MTL – Camara 23’
TOR – Bradley 26’
MTL – Dzemaili 29’
MTL – Crépeau 45’+3’
MTL – Cabrera 59’
TOR – Cheyrou 90’
