Taking a bit of a cue from that other sport so popular with Canadians, Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact continue a home-and-home set on Tuesday (8 pm ET | TSN4, TVAS in Canada; MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US) at BMO Field, with MLS history, Concacaf Champions League-qualifying positioning and local bragging rights on the line.
Here's a closer look:
Hey nineteen
It's easy to forget, given the disjointed nature of the 2020 MLS season, but Toronto FC are nearing an MLS record with their 18-match unbeaten league run, a stretch that spans more than a calendar year.
Another win or draw and the Reds will tie a league record set twice previously. Columbus Crew SC went 19 matches unbeaten from July 3, 2004, to April 2, 2005, and FC Dallas matched the feat from May 27 to Oct. 9 of 2010.
If they match the record on Tuesday, Toronto would then face a cross-country trip to Vancouver to try to break the record on Saturday.
Whitecaps wipeout
Both Toronto and Montreal will remain alive in the race for the MLS place in the Canadian Championship, regardless of Tuesday's result. But the Whitecaps will need a Montreal victory to keep their slim hopes alive.
In the revised CanChamp format, the winner of the MLS round-robin between its three Canadian teams will face the winner of the Canadian Premier League season. The winner of that competition, of course, earns a place in the 2021 Concacaf Champions League.
Series-ly streaking
Toronto's four consecutive regular season wins in the series with Montreal is the longest such stretch since the teams began their MLS rivalry in 2012. On the other hand, with a Montreal win on Tuesday, Thierry Henry would then be looking at the opportunity to become the first Impact manager in history to win consecutive meetings against Toronto when the sides reunite at Stade Saputo on Sept. 9.
Will Jozy break through?
Believe it or not, Toronto have gone all of their 2020 season without a single goal from Jozy Altidore, who has been limited to five matches. The US men's national team forward sat out Friday's match due to personal reasons, and the idea of a well-rested version going against a less-rested Montreal backline could give Impact fans nightmares.
Romell like clockwork?
Since earning a place as Henry's preferred No. 9, Honduras international Romell Quioto has scored every other match, which means he would be due to strike Tuesday. He was unlucky not to get a goal Friday, when he saw one disallowed on a fractional offside call.
