As anticipation of Montreal’s possible move to Major League Soccer in 2012 reaches new heights, so does an intense rivalry between the Impact and Canadian rivals Toronto FC.
The two clubs exchanged hard tackles, kicks to the ankles and even fists during a heated Nutrilite Canadian Championship match at BMO Field on Wednesday night.
The Impact, who currently play in the USSF D2 league, were forced to play the final 60 minutes of the match short-handed after forward Roberto Brown delivered a left hook to the face of Toronto defender Nick Garcia.
“The fans came to see a soccer match but also got to see a boxing match,” said Toronto FC striker Chad Barrett, whose second-half goal sealed Toronto’s 2-0 victory in the opening game of the tournament, which also serves as a Champions League qualifier. “It’s always going to be a heated matchup against Montreal, and with them coming into the league, we always need to be mentally prepared for a matchup against the Impact."
Video replays clearly showed the Panamanian international striking Garcia, who then quickly fell to the ground. Brown was given his marching orders by referee Paul Ward while Toronto’s Garcia left the match and was replaced by striker O’Brian White.
“I noticed Brown and Garcia also going at each other moments before [his ejection] during a free kick,” Montreal defender Nevio Pizzolitto said. “Then the next couple of plays things got heated again and it just happened.”
An injury report on Garcia will not be available until Thursday morning, according to Toronto head coach Preki.
Toronto also lost defender Ty Harden with a serious knee laceration during a goal-mouth scramble when Dwayne De Rosario opened the scoring in the 11th minute. In an attempt to tackle De Rosario, the Montreal goalkeeper instead slid his cleats up into Harden, who left the game and required 22 stitches in the hospital to close the wound.
“It was just a hard-fought match,” Preki said. “It was a soccer game with a lot of incidents, but as professionals must carry on and focus on the game.”
The Impact captured the inaugural 2008 Nutrilite Championship when—to the delight of a loyal pocket of traveling fans—they tied Toronto 1-1 at BMO Field in the last game of the tournament.
Montreal subsequently advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League, keying a miraculous run all the way to the quarterfinals where they met Mexican Primera División side Santos Laguna. In front of a record-setting crowd of 55,571 at Olympic Stadium, they defeated Santos 2-0. But they lost the return leg in Mexico and were dumped from the competition by an aggregate score of 5-4.
Toronto FC's 6-1 victory over Montreal in last June’s Canadian finale sent the MLS side to last year’s Champion League preliminary round. Montreal finished last year‘s tournament winless.
With the Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers joining MLS as its 17th and 18th teams in 2011, the Impact are currently on the short list of cities for a 2012 expansion.
“We have fantastic fans; they really support us and get behind the team and are always there at every game.” said Montreal defender Adam Braz after Wednesday's match. “I think when we make the jump to the MLS, this will just continue to build and create more excitement surrounding the sport of soccer in Montreal.”
Expansion discussions between MLS and Impact owner Joey Saputo had initially fallen apart in late 2008, with the issue of a $40 million entry fee and improvements to Montreal's Saputo Stadium reported to be a major stumbling block. However, talks resumed in May of 2009 and Montreal remains in a good position to land MLS' 19th franchise.
