Frustrating decisions against Bleu-blanc-noir in last 10 minutes
TORONTO, Ontario – The Montreal Impact fought courageously, but could not bring back a 10th Voyageurs Cup to Montreal, losing 2-1 against Toronto FC, on Tuesday evening at BMO Field. Ballou Tabla gave a lead to the visitors before a Giovinco brace allowed Toronto to win the Canadian Championship by a 3-2 aggregate score.
“It’s embarrassing to lose in such a manner. The refereeing level was very low,” noted Montreal Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “I have to give credit to my players. They worked hard. I think they played a solid game and they managed it well. We created chances, we scored a goal. Losing the game like this is disappointing.”
Impact takes the lead in the first half
The game was started patiently, if not cautiously, by the two teams. The first warning shot came by the hosts when Sebastian Giovinco crossed the ball to the far post for Tosaint Ricketts, but his shot sailed over the bar.
The Impact had its first opportunity in the 14th minute, when Blerim Dzemaili attacked in the middle before sending Matteo Mancosu through, but his snap shot was off target.
In the 27th minute, Maxime Crépeau kept his team in the game. Giovinco crossed in the air to the far post for Ricketts. The latter headed the ball back towards the first post, but Crépeau reacted quickly and palmed the ball away with his right hand. All in all, the young Canadian international goalkeeper made five saves in the game, while boxing a cross and catching another.
The visitors took the lead in the 36th minute. Dzemaili played a quick one-two with Nacho Piatti and ran at the back line. Chris Mavinga slid to tackle, but the Swiss recovered the ball before giving it to Ballou Tabla, who took a touch with his left before sending a bending left-footed shot in Clint Irwin’s goal.
The Bleu-blanc-noir came close to doubling its lead in the 42th minute. Crépeau sent a long ball for Piatti who immediately accelerated on the left wing. The Argentine winger beat Michael Bradley and took a shot, but was saved by Irwin.
The hosts come back
Toronto FC, after the break, created two chances back to back. In the 53rd minute, Víctor Vázquez shot the ball from the inside left channel that was blocked in defense, but it found its way into Giovinco’s run in the middle. Crépeau, off his line, won the duel by cutting the angles.
One minute later, TFC equalized. Bradley, from the left flank, sent a diagonal ball to Giovinco. The diminutive Italian chested the object, beat his marker, and finished the action with a low shot from the left.
Then, in the 89th minute, Patrice Bernier was sent off in approximate terms. Trying to keep possession of the ball, he slid to tackle and his foot rolled on the ball. Marco Delgado made a meal of the minimal contact and head referee David Gantar bit, giving a red card to the Impact captain.
Toronto FC did not wait to benefit from the man advantage. In the 95th minute, as three additional minutes were announced, Vázquez gave the ball on the left wing to Raheem Edwards. His low cross to the first post was met by Giovinco, who scored to award the series to the hosts.
“It’s disappointing and I do not know why I was sent off. It is the second time this referee has given me a red card, but I do not want to put emphasis on that,” said Patrice Bernier. “I am proud of my teammates, as we did well during this game. We have to keep our heads held high; we have another game this Saturday in MLS.”
“It’s hard to concede a goal at the death,” noted Crépeau. “Giovinco was in my blind spot and he beat me at the near post. We now have to get over it and think about the championship in MLS.”
Upcoming games
The Impact now only has two more MLS games to play before the scheduled two-week Gold Cup break, starting with a duel with D.C. United at home, on Saturday, July 1, at 7pm (TVA Sports, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). IMFC Summer, including a pregame show by Étienne Drapeau with Ludovick Bourgeois, will be back and welcome supporters from 4:30pm. The team will then once again play on the road, a fourth away game in five league games, with a trip to BBVA Compass Stadium, in Texas, against Houston Dynamo, on Wednesday, July 5, at 8:30pm EDT (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690).
LINEUPS
TOR – G-Clint Irwin; D-Chris Mavinga, Drew Moor, Eriq Zavaleta; M-Raheem Edwards, Jonathan Osorio (Marco Delgado, 45’), Michael Bradley, Víctor Vázquez, Steven Beitashour; F-Tosaint Ricketts (Jozy Altidore, 45’), Sebastian Giovinco
Unused subs: Alexander Bono, Ashtone Morgan, Jason Hernandez, Armando Cooper, Benoit Cheyrou
MTL – G-Maxime Crépeau; D-Kyle Fisher, Víctor Cabrera (Wandrille Lefèvre 90’+1’, Laurent Ciman, Hassoun Camara; M-Hernán Bernardello, Patrice Bernier; Ballou Tabla, Blerim Dzemaili, Nacho Piatti (Dominic Oduro 80’), F- Matteo Mancosu 54’
Unused subs: Evan Bush, Calum Mallace, Michael Salazar, Nick DePuy, Anthony Jackson-Hamel
GOALS
MTL – Tabla (Dzemaili) 36’
TOR – Giovinco (Bradley) 52’
TOR – Giovinco (Edwards, Vázquez) 90’ + 5’
CAUTIONS
MTL – Kyle Fisher 45’ + 2’
MTL – Hernán Bernardello 59’
TOR – Raheem Edwards 90’+6’
EJECTION
MTL – Patrice Bernier 89’
