The road to the CONCACAF Champions League begins at BMO Field, this Wednesday at 7:30pm, as the Impact takes on Toronto FC in the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal (RDS, TSN, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690). Here are 10 things to know about the hosts before the first leg of this home-and-away series.
Context
Having played several road games in a row to start the season, the Reds celebrated their return to BMO Field with a 1-0 win over FC Dallas. They then dropped seven of the following nine available home points, and they just suffered a 3-0 loss at Red Bull Arena, where Sebastian Giovinco left the game early (22nd minute) with an injury.
Current form
L-W-L-D-D-L
Head coach
Greg Vanney (20-22-14 all-time as Toronto FC head coach) became TFC head coach on August 31, 2014. He is also the club’s technical director. A professional player for 13 seasons in the United States and in France, Vanney then worked on youth development, most notably at Real Salt Lake and at Chivas USA, before joining TFC in December 2013. After taking on jobs as assistant general manager and TFC Academy director, he became the ninth head coach in club history, replacing Ryan Nelsen
Current top scorer
Sebastian Giovinco (8)
Players to watch
1. Mo Babouli (#11) – With Jozy Altidore unavailable, Babouli’s getting chances to show what he’s made off. His play is still raw, but he takes initiative, which is interesting.
2. Steven Beitashour (#2) – Beitashour has been ever-present in the Toronto defence at right fullback. Then again, maybe the Canadian Championship provides an opportunity to rest him.
3. Ashtone Morgan (#5) – What is Morgan’s least favourite thing in Montreal? The Impact was his reply last year. Add to that the fact that he’s only played 96 MLS minutes this season, and he’s going to be raring to go if Greg Vanney calls upon him.
Team profile
After attempting to minimize risks in its first eight games played on the road, Toronto FC took a bit more initiative at its BMO Field home but didn’t do a 180-degree turn, either. The team still manages to hurt opponents on transitions and at pace. Without Jozy Altidore’s hold-up play, TFC has had to work a little differently in transition. Against New York, for example, both wingers tucked in in the defensive phase and then adapted to Giovinco’s movements in transition – until he left the game with an injury –, whether it’s attacking the space on the wing to free up Giovinco down the middle or giving him options in the middle if he smells blood on the sides. Defensively, however, those wingers weren’t quite efficient enough on the press, allowing the opponent to bypass TFC’s midfield three. In that area, the two players on either side of – for now – Will Johnson – work very hard to recover balls and bring support once the ball is recovered.
Tactical formation
Greg Vanney played different systems in recent weeks, even opting for a three-man backline against Columbus, but Giovinco’s possible absence could lead him to more conservative options. Lineup v. New York Red Bulls (May 28): Irwin; Beitashour, Perquis, Moor, Morrow; Delgado, Johnson, Osorio; Lovitz, Giovinco, Babouli.
Against the Impact last season
The Montreal players can be pleased with their meetings with TFC in 2015. First, they knocked their rivals out of the Canadian Championship. They then lost twice at BMO Field in MLS play, but the Impact made amends on Decision Day, defeating Toronto 2-1 and ensuring that it would get home-field advantage in the Knockout Round of the MLS Cup Playoffs against… TFC. The ensuing 3-0 win, and the fact that the team pushed TFC out of a second competition that season, will remain in the fan base’s memories for a long time.
Injuries (as of May 31)
F Jozy Altidore (hamstring)
F Sebastian Giovinco (adductor sprain – trained on sidelines on Tuesday morning)
Next games
Montreal Impact v Toronto FC (ACC, June 8)
Toronto FC v LA Galaxy (MLS, June 18)
Orlando City SC v Toronto FC (MLS, June 25)
