Victory keeps Impact alive in MLS Cup playoff race
No matter what the Montreal Impact’s or Toronto FC’s standings in the table were before they faced off on Sunday, it was always going to be a thrilling game. And beating the Reds, especially on home soil, always feels good for Montreal, especially since the victory keeps the team alive in the MLS Cup playoff race heading into Decision Day.
Toronto FC came to Stade Saputo hoping to accomplish what the Impact had done at BMO Field in 2014; the Bleu-blanc-noir had travelled to Toronto in a must-win game for the Reds at the time and earned the draw, officially eliminating them from contention.
But it wasn’t meant to be for Greg Vanney’s men, who could only watch as Nacho Piatti netted his 15th and 16th goals of the season, bringing his goal tally against our biggest rival to eight.
“We had a game that we followed until the very end, and we were rewarded for it,” said midfielder Samuel Piette. “We could’ve scored more, even if it finished 2-0 in the end. But we’re happy with the performance. We were a little slow to start, but we found our rhythm.”
That being said, it was no easy task for the Bleu-blanc-noir. Rémi Garde’s men went into the locker room at halftime with the game still a scoreless draw, having had a goal refused after video review. Toronto earned its fair share of chances in the first 45 as well, including a Sebastian Giovinco breakaway that Evan Bush was able to stop.
“I think we were a little cautious at first,” said striker Quincy Amarikwa. “You can’t win the game in the first 10 minutes, but you also can’t lose it. From that perspective, we were patient, trying get a feel of where they were planning on trying to break us down tactically. We got a very good understanding of that in the first and took advantage of it in the second.”
That second win against TFC this year officially puts an end to another chapter of the Canadian Classique, as these two teams won’t face each other off until the 2019 season, with Toronto FC already eliminated from playoff contention. Advantage Montreal in 2018.
The Impact, on its end, travels to Massachusetts for a must-win game against the New England Revolution on MLS Decision Day. Victory, combined with the Columbus Crew SC dropping points in any fashion, means the Bleu-blanc-noir qualifies to the postseason.
“We’re excited and we feel re-energized,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “We’re ready to get into training and lock in on this New England team. It’s a very difficult place to play and they have a lot of good pieces. It’s a tricky game, but if we approach it the same way we did today’s game, but with a little more quality, we should be alright.”
