Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact | MLS Match Preview

MLSsoccer staff

TORONTO FC vs. MONTREAL IMPACT
BMO FIELD, Toronto, Ontario
August 29, 2015 (WEEK 26, MLS Game #259)
4 p.m. ET (TSN; MLS LIVE)

Heineken Rivalry Week kicks into full gear when Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact renew their rivalry in a critical match for both clubsí ambitions in the Eastern Conference as they meet at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon. TFC are still six points clear of the final playoff position as they chase a first-ever postseason berth, coming off a record-setting 5-0 win against Orlando City SC at home last weekend. The Impact are tied for sixth place and that final playoff position, after their 1-0 home loss to Philadelphia Union last weekend at Stade Saputo.

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REFEREE: Armando Villarreal. AR1 (bench): Craig Lowry; AR2 (opposite): Matthew Nelson; 4th: David Gantar
MLS Career: 58 games; FC/gm: 22.8; Y/gm: 2.7; R: 16; pens: 14

SUSPENDED: none
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: TOR: Nick Hagglund... MTL: Laurent Ciman, Marco Donadel
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: TOR: Collen Warner, Sebastian Giovinco... MTL: Nigel Reo-Coker, Calum Mallace, Bakary Soumare, Andres Romero, Dominic Oduro
DISABLED LIST: TOR: Mark Bloom (season-ending injury)... MTL: Cameron Porter, Justin Mapp, Kenny Cooper (season-ending injury)
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none

HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (MLS) (9 meetings): Toronto FC 4 wins, 15 goals Ö Impact 2 wins, 9 goals Ö Ties 3
AT TORONTO (5 meetings): Toronto FC 2 wins, 8 goals Ö Impact 0 wins, 5 goals Ö Ties 3
FUTURE MATCH: 10/25: Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC, tbd

The teams met once earlier this season in league play, as TFC Designated Players Sebastian Giovinco and Michael Bradley each netted a goal and added an assist in their club's 3-1 win June 24 at BMO Field.
Since coming to MLS, the Impact have not won in Toronto, with five losses and four draws in nine meetings in all competitions at BMO Field. The Impact have yet to defeat Toronto FC in a league game at Stade Saputo, losing both regular season meetings there (though they have won three of four matchups in the Canadian Championship). The two Impact home wins in the all-time league series have come at Olympic Stadium.
The teams have met in every season theyíve been together in MLS in the Canadian Championship, with the Impact winning the title in 2014 by defeating TFC 2-1 on aggregate in the final. The Impact have won with the teams have met in the semifinals on two of the three occasions, in 2013 and 2015, when they won on away goals after the level was level 3-3 on aggregate.
Coaches record: Frank Klopas vs. TOR: P9 W5 L2 T2 Ö Greg Vanney vs. MTL: P2 W1 L0 T1

LAST MEETING (MLS)
6/24: TOR 3, MTL 1 (Bradley 27; Altidore 56; Giovinco 82 ñ Oyongo 19)

The Impact took the lead in the 19th minute. From a lightning-quick counterattack, Ignacio Piatti sent a cross into the box, which was partially cleared but fell to the foot of Ambroise Oyongo. He then struck a rocket of a left-footed volley, beating TFC goalkeeper Chris Konopka.
Toronto FC were level just eight minutes later. Damien Perquis hit a long ball for Sebastian Giovinco to run onto in the Impact end. He turned away from a defender and slipped in a quick low centering pass to an onrushing Michael Bradley, who struck the ball first time, beating goalkeeper Evan Bush.
TFC took the lead in the 56th minute, as Bradley was once again instrumental. This time, he picked up the ball in midfield and struck an inch-perfect pass to Jozy Altidore whose smart run saw him burst into the penalty area on the left before lashing it past Bush on his far side.
The match was put away in the 81st minute when Giovinco went down in the area and referee Alan Kelly pointed to the spot. Giovinco took his own penalty and coolly slotted home the goal, giving Toronto the three points.
TORONTO FC (4-3-1-2): Chris Konopka - Warren Creavalle, Damien Perquis, Eriq Zavaleta, Justin Morrow - Marky Delgado (Jay Chapman 78), Collen Warner, Jonathan Osorio - Michael Bradley - Sebastian Giovinco (Jackson 88), Jozy Altidore (Robbie Findley 66).
MONTREAL IMPACT (4-2-3-1): Evan Bush - Ambroise Oyongo, Bakary Soumare, Laurent Ciman, Donny Toia - Nigel Reo-Coker, Marco Donadel - Andres Romero (Dominic Oduro 68), Ignacio Piatti (Patrice Bernier 77), Maxim Tissot (Dilly Duka 57) - Jack McInerney.