The match
Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact
Date and Location
Saturday April 7 (Noon ET), at Montreal's Olympic Stadium
Setting the scene
History will be made Saturday when these two teams renew their rivalry in Major League Soccer for the first time -- and both could desperately use the win.
Montreal is coming off a midweek 1-0 road loss to Real Salt Lake, a result that dropped the Impact to 0-1-4 to start the season. With just a single point to their credit, Montreal will be shooting for their first win of the campaign.
Likewise, Toronto lost to Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday and is looking for its first victory in MLS after losing all three of its games by a combined score of 7-1.
Neither team can afford to drop more points this early in the season, especially a Toronto side that is looking to end its five-year playoff drought.
Part of the problem is that both clubs have had trouble scoring.
Toronto comes into this match riding a 202-minute goalless drought in league play -- they haven't registered a goal since Ryan Johnson scored in Seattle in the season opener. Montreal has just three goals on the campaign.
Pride is also at stake, as Saturday marks the first Canadian derby between the two sides since the Impact graduated to MLS (American soccer's top division) from the second-tier NASL.
"They've got a little extra special feel for sure, me being Canadian and there's another six or seven other Canadians on the team," TFC midfielder Terry Dunfield told the team's website.
One Canadian player who likely won't be in the starting lineup for Montreal is hometown product Patrice Bernier. The Impact midfielder has come in for criticism for his lacklustre play this season and he declined to talk to reporters after the team's Friday training session.
News and notes
Nigerian forward John Owoeri is currently on trial with Montreal... Impact forward Eduardo Sebrango and defender Hassoun Camara, both nursing injuries, are listed as probable for Saturday's match. Both have yet to play for the Impact this season... Rookie Impact defender Calum Mallace is out with a right ankle sprain... TFC defender Miguel Aceval is listed as questionable... Italian newspaper Il Corriere di Romagna is reporting the Impact are pursuing Adrian Mutu, currently with Serie A side Cesena... Montreal and Toronto have met six times before in Canadian Championship play, with Toronto winning five and earning a draw...
Player to watch for Toronto
Danny Koevermans: The Dutch striker was the Reds' top scorer last season but he has yet to find the back of the net this year in MLS play. Will he break out of his scoring funk in Montreal?
Player to watch for Montreal
Justin Braun: Like Koevermans, the Impact forward is looking for his first goal of the season. Braun will also want to make amends after handling the ball that led to Salt Lake's penalty shot on Wednesday.
Key matchup
Danny Koevermans vs. Matteo Ferrari: If the big Dutchman is to open his goal-scoring account for TFC this season, he's going to have to get past the Impact's veteran Italian defender to do it.
The Toronto perspective
"I think we can be proud of ourselves (going) so far in the Champions League. But now it's over. Now we have to get some points in the league. That's the main thing." -- Toronto forward Danny Koevermans
The Montreal perspective
"If you don't score, you don't win. You need to score goals .... (but) we're playing well. We just need when we're in the final third to stick some chances away." -- Impact goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts
What's next
Toronto returns home to host Chivas USA next Saturday. Montreal visits FC Dallas on the same day.
Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99
Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html
Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html
No comments:
Post a Comment