Canadian Championship

Montreal Impact coach Jesse Marsch

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MONTREAL – With two games remaining and the playoffs out of sight, most clubs would be tempted to simply give minutes to hard-working players who have not received much playing time.

That's not the case for the Montreal Impact, who were only eliminated from playoff contention last weekend.

A heated derby with archrivals Toronto FC and a home curtain call against the New England Revolution lie ahead for the Impact and both matches are significant for next season.

Montreal Impact coach Jesse Marsch

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MONTREAL – The race for the playoffs is not the only contest in which the Montreal Impact are competing.

The seeding for the 2013 Amway Canadian Championship, which will determine Canada’s representative in the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League, will be based on the 2012 MLS standings. Currently, Montreal are two points above the Vancouver Whitecaps, who do have a game in hand, in the “Canadian table.”

Paul Mariner, claps

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TORONTO – Paul Mariner has no illusions. Toronto FC face a stern challenge in the CONCACAF Champions League.

“It’s going to be difficult for us, but we’ll give it our best shot,” Toronto FC’s head coach told MLSsoccer.com last Friday. “It‘s a very tough draw.”

Aron Winter

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TORONTO – The timing of Aron Winter’s departure as Toronto FC’s head coach and technical director was a surprise for some of the players because of the timing.

It came after two wins in a row – the Amway Canadian Championship final and a league game against the Philadelphia Union – on May 23 and 26, and late in the second week of the international break in the schedule.

Danny Koevermans high fives teammate

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TORONTO – Toronto FC striker Danny Koevermans has been a super-sub since returning from a groin injury.

But that's not a role the Designated Player should get too comfortable with.

“Danny came back from an injury and when he’s fit he’s going to play, always,” head coach and technical director Aron Winter said after Koevermans' goal gave the Reds their first league win of the season against Philadelphia on May 26. “Because he’s a DP, he’s a good striker making goals and you have to bring him slowly.”

TFC defender Doneil Henry

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TORONTO – Sometimes it’s hard to believe that Toronto FC defender Doneil Henry turned 19 just six weeks ago.

In TFC years, where changes have come fast and furious since Day One, Henry is practically a veteran.

He made his debut with the Reds in 2010 when he became the club’s first Academy player to sign with the first team. Now the center back is repaying the confidence the coaching staff has shown in him recently by playing with poise and skill at both ends of the pitch.

toronto fc celebrate their voyageurs cup win

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TORONTO – It’s been an odd season in Toronto.

The club has lost all nine of its MLS games so far this year, a record which unsurprisingly places them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

But outside of the league, TFC have reached the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League by defeating the reigning MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy, and on Wednesday became Canadian champions for the fourth year in a row by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 at BMO Field.

Joe Cannon - May 12, 2012

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VANCOUVER — On the surface, there are few positives to take from a cup final defeat.

But for the Vancouver Whitecaps, who fell to Toronto FC, 2-1 on aggregate in the final of the Amway Canadian Championship on Wednesday, there is some solace to be taken from the club’s extremely positive regular season so far.

Contrary to last season, when the Whitecaps also lost to Toronto on the same stage and quickly fell out of the post-season picture in league play, Vancouver are very much in the hunt for a first-ever MLS playoff appearance this time around.