Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 34
Stade Saputo — Montreal
October 21 — 3 pm ET
WATCH: TVAS, TSN, ESPN+

The latest chapter of the Canadian Classique heats up at Stade Saputo Sunday with the Montreal Impact desperate to beat Toronto FC to remain in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup playoff hunt.

The Impact received no favors from TFC on Wednesday when the Reds fell to D.C. United, 1-0, at Audi Field. The result widened the gap above the playoff line to four points with two games to play.

The rivals split the first two league meetings this season, with the Impact winning 1-0 at Stade Olympique on March 17 with Jeisson Vargas scoring the lone goal four minutes from halftime, and Toronto FC earning a measure of revenge at BMO Field with a 3-1 victory on August 25. On that day, Sebastian Giovinco scored a brace and Jonathan Osorio added a goal before the half-hour mark. Alejandro Silva scored the lone Montreal goal.

Montreal Impact

Montreal (13-15-4) rebounded from a devastating defeat to D.C. United and kept playoff hopes glimmering with a 3-0 win over Columbus Crew SC on Oct. 6.

Saphir Taider opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute and then set up goals by Silva just before halftime and Ignacio Piatti before the hour mark.

“When you score the first goal, especially in our position, the way we play, when you score the first goal, it gives us the confidence to play again with the same spirit,” Remi Garde said. “We knew Columbus was a very good team. They don’t score too many goals, but they don’t concede too many. I think it was the best defense away in this league and scoring three goals against them was very important.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: D - Chris Duvall
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - Kyle Fisher (quad injury), D - Victor Cabrera

Projected Starting XI
(4-3-3, right to left)
GK: Evan Bush — Bacary Sagna, Rod Fanni, Jukka Raitala, Daniel Lovitz — Micheal Azira, Samuel Piette, Saphir Taider — Alejandro Silva, Quincy Amarikwa, Ignacio Piatti

Toronto FC

Toronto FC (9-17-6) dropped their second straight game and lost for the third time in their last four games, falling to D.C. United, 1-0, at Audi Field on Wednesday.

After Bill Hamid denied a Nick Hagglund header in the 11th minute, Wayne Rooney scored the game’s lone goal seven minutes later with a blistering long-distance free kick.

“I was proud of our guys, the guys worked hard, I thought in many ways outplayed them,” Greg Vanney said. “We lacked a little bit of being dangerous in the final third, but we still had some good spots. We had a great opportunity on the header early in the goal, the free kick goal, it’s a great strike, but it can’t go in the back of the net from that distance. That’s my opinion.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: M - Michael Bradley, F - Jozy Altidore
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: M - Victor Vazquez (knee surgery)

Projected Starting XI
(3-4-3, right to left)
GK: Alex Bono — Eriq Zavaleta, Drew Moor, Nick Hagglund — Auro, Liam Fraser, Michel Bradley, Justin Morrow — Jay Chapman, Sebastian Giovinco, Lucas Janson

All-Time Series

Overall: Montreal Impact 6 wins, 23 goals … Toronto FC 9 wins, 32 goals … 4 draws
At Montreal: Impact 4 wins, 10 goals … Toronto FC 4 wins, 15 goals … 1 draw
Last meeting at Montreal: Montreal impact 1, Toronto FC 0 (March 17, 2017)