The Montreal Impact retained the Canadian Championship on Wednesday night, thanks to a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC in the second leg of the final (2-1 aggregate). Montreal took a slight advantage going into the match after securing an important away goal and drawing the first leg 1-1 in Toronto. This victory ensures that the Impact will be competing in the CONCACAF Champions League for the second straight season, in a group with New York Red Bulls and C.D. FAS from El Salvador.
Felipe Secures Voyageurs Cup for Impact
The second leg of the final was a tightly contested affair with TFC fielding a stronger side than in the first leg. Toronto carried more of the play throughout the match, however the midfield and defense for the Impact were able to close down Jermain Defoe and the TFC attack. TFC were eventually caught on the counter attack with substitute Felipe scoring in second half injury time, after Marco Di Vaio rang a powerful shot off the crossbar. What had been a tense crowd for 90 minutes erupted realizing Felipe’s goal had secured their passage into the Champions League, and a second straight Canadian Championship.
The thrust of this mini-resurgence for the Impact has been led by a stabilized backline, hard work in the midfield, and a more balanced attack up front. A healthy Hernán Bernardello and Patrice Bernier have made a big difference in the midfield. With Marco Di Vaio returning from injury, it has allowed the Impact to implement a 4-4-2 formation, unleashing a double threat up front with Jack McInerney.
Reinforcements maybe on the way, as it appears the Impact may be inching closer to signing DP midfielder Ignacio Piatti from San Lorenzo. Piatti would be a great addition for the Impact, allowing for more flexibility, added depth, and a skill boost in the midfield. On the injury front it appears as though Adrián López is ready to go, after being on the bench for two of the last three matches and Matteo Ferrari on the bench on Wednesday. There is still not much to report from the injury prone Nelson Rivas camp after he was substituted in the first leg of the Canadian final after only two minutes.
With Montreal having the weekend off to relax and take in the Montreal Grand Prix, they will have an opportunity to re-tool and continue their resurgence with a few new faces potentially in the lineup. Montreal will rev up to take on DC United next Wednesday evening at Stade Saputo.
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