Canadian teams sure entered the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs in style this week.
On Wednesday, Sebastian Giovinco landed in Toronto from Italy, went to BMO Field, and proceeded to score a sensational winner against the New York Red Bulls to clinch the Redsā first-ever playoff berth in their ninth MLS season.
This Saturday, against the New England Revolution, it was Ignacio Piattiās turn to come up big.
Not unlike Giovinco, Piatti turned in midfield and dribbled through the opposition. Unlike Giovinco, Piatti stopped his run before the penalty area, instead curling a stunning shot into the top right corner, past Revolution goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth. Exactly like Giovinco, he scored the winner, sending Montreal into the playoffs ā for the second time in the club's four-year history, that is.
And next Sunday on Decision Day, Montreal conveniently host their rivals Toronto FC at Stade Saputo.
āMission accomplished, weāre in,ā Impact interim head coach Mauro Biello told reporters after the 1-0 win against New England. āNow, it's about climbing up the standings. One game remains, and we can still have that home playoff game. Itāll be our focus for the next game.ā
Indeed, Montreal didnāt just clinch a playoff spot on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium. Theyāve also entered the top four zone in the Eastern Conference and could now host a playoff match for the first time.
Better yet, a win against TFC would likely also force their archrivals into a road Knockout Round fixture. And Montreal could yet jump to second in the East with a win and some favorable results, too.
āItās Toronto. No compromises there,ā Wandrille LefĆØvre said. āWho knows, maybe weāll see them in the playoffs? We win the game, and then weāll look at what our rivals have done and what the final standings are. We want to have our destiny in our own hands, and thatās whatāll determine what comes next.ā
The Impact wonāt be satisfied with the win at Gillette. They look a team on a mission, with their resolutely stubborn defense and their attackers making a differenceāor, as Didier Drogba did on Saturday, agreeing to drop deeper and deeper and deeper to help out in the back.
āWeāve been building confidence,ā Drogba said. āOur objective for the end of the season was to grab points on the road. With two away wins, we've accomplished our mission. We'll now get ready for Toronto, but it's great to make it to the playoffs. Everyone's enjoying it. We worked hard.ā
But donāt count on him to drop too deep next Sunday. Perhaps Drogba will want to prove Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney wrong. After TFC lost 2-0 to Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, Vanney commented that when it comes to Drogba, āOne minute he'll play like a beast, and the next minute he'll fall over.ā
āItās okay,ā Drogba said when asked about Vanney's comments. āIām not angry with him.ā
And then, he smiled his Drogba smile.
Can it be Decision Day already?
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