Toronto, Canada — The Montreal Impact played big and bold in what might be Toronto’s final home game this year at BMO Field. Thanks to a positive start, the Impact have put themselves back into the Canadian Championship Finals conversation.
They are now fifth in the Eastern Conference. Toronto FC had the majority of the possession but looked sloppy at the final third and failed to take advantage of their chances.
Toronto FC’s 18-Game Unbeaten Run is Now Over
Three Keys to the Game for the Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact Had Positive Play to Start Both Halves
Give credit to the Montreal Impact in this Canadian Classique, or BMO Derby. They came to play and executed their game plan effectively. They absorbed pressure from Toronto FC and picked moments to attack Toronto FC’s backline. As a result, defender Rudy Camacho made a terrific header from a Romell Quioto cross to give the Impact a 1-0 lead.
Deuxième but de Rudy Camacho en @MLS!
It's 1-0, thanks to Camacho!#TORvMTL | #IMFC pic.twitter.com/AC8BkDpdqK
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) September 2, 2020
In the second half, the defense of the Montreal Impact made the Toronto FC frontline look sluggish to start the game. The TSN announcers even stated that it was the best game the Impact have played under Thierry Henry. Their game-plan worked to perfection.
Clément Diop the Player of the Game
It was hard to decide who was the player of the game. Quioto and Camacho both played together with good chemistry throughout the game. However, Clément Diop was the player of the game as he made six saves. This included several shots from Jozy Altidore that might have gone in the back of the net.
As a result, though, Diop now has three clean sheets in four games. This is a career-high of clean sheets for Diop in one MLS season.
43' Non mais sérieusement.
Last one we promise.
Altidore got #BIGSTOPDIOP'ed.
0-1 | #TORvMTL | #IMFC pic.twitter.com/7e4CgOKatO
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) September 2, 2020
Toronto FC Squandered Scoring Opportunities
Toronto FC squandered several scoring opportunities throughout the game. They had 20 shots, but only six of them hit the target. This included several shots that missed the net in the second half. Alejandro Pozuelo missed the net on a free kick in the 69-minute. He also missed the target in the 84-minute. Ayo Akinola also had a chance but headed above the net from a terrific Erickson Gallardo cross pass. Jonathan Osorio also missed the net near the end of the game.
Most controversially, the biggest missed chance was probably in the first half. Jozy Altidore drew a penalty for Toronto FC. Pozuelo took the penalty. Rather than Pozuelo taking the penalty, he rolled the ball forward. Pablo Piatti then ran to the ball and shot it past Diop. However, the goal was later disallowed as Piatti entered the box before Pozeulo touched the ball forward.
45'+1 | …
0-1 | #TORvMTL | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/UlfzscHcIR
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) September 2, 2020
Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC Game Review
The Montreal Impact’s game plan worked against Toronto FC. They defended their lines well and did not allow any goals. This included good defensive plays like the 51-minute. They like Toronto FC had chances to score goals. Montreal had 10 shots with three hitting the target.
At the 62-minute mark, it looked like another possible penalty call would go Toronto FC’s way. However, the ball touching Thomas Bouffard’s chest and left arm and was not clear and obvious. Therefore, it was not a penalty.
The Montreal Impact looked sharp as Quioto almost scored in the 76-minute mark from a Camacho pass. Quioto had another good chance to score in the first half but Toronto FC defender Chris Mavinga averted the danger. The Impact may not be an elite team yet, but they have taken steps to accomplish that goal.
Thanks to that result, the Montreal Impact are now fifth in the Eastern Conference. More importantly, thanks to an Impact win the Canadian MLS team who will reach the Canadian Championship is now anyone’s game. A result they know they needed before the game was played. Montreal has also ended Toronto’s 18-game MLS season unbeaten streak that dates back to last season.
W ✅
L'Impact revient à Montréal avec les 3 points 👊
Big win and three more points ⏫
0-1 | #TORvMTL | #IMFC pic.twitter.com/ipqZx2veCk
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) September 2, 2020
Toronto FC still leads the Canadian Championship table with nine points in four games played. However, the Montreal Impact are right behind them. They now have six points in three games played. TFC is also still leading the MLS Supporters’ Shield race with 18 points. However, with yesterday’s loss, TFC could be overtaken by other MLS teams. This includes their Trillium Cup rivals Columbus Crew SC, who have played one less game and are just one point behind.
Thanks to a Montreal win, Vancouver still has a chance. If Toronto even tied with Montreal, Vancouver would be out of the running to make the Canadian Championship Final. However, it is still a tall task for them to make the Canadian Championship Final. Vancouver would need to win their next three games and get many results their way.
Remaining MLS Phase One Games in Canada
Toronto FC will have little rest for their two remaining MLS phase one game in Canada. They will play against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sept. 5 at BC Place. TFC would then finish their phase one games against the Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium (Stade Saputo) on Sept. 9. However, Toronto may be without their captain Michael Bradley, who got injured from an Emanuel Maciel tackle late in Tuesday’s game.
Montreal will then play against Vancouver on Sept. 13 and 16 at BC Place. These two games officially end MLS phase one in Canada.
Heads up. We go again on Saturday.#CanChamp | #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/4Zg8y2307C
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) September 2, 2020
