Toronto FC 1-1 Montreal Impact: Advantage, L’Impact

Oct 26, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Impact defender Matteo Ferrari (13) battles for a ball with Toronto FC forward Robert Earnshaw (10) during the first half in a game at BMO Field.Toronto FC won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Nelsen’s Toronto FC and Frank Klopas’s Montreal Impact played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship. However, Montreal earn the advantage on a win away goal and simply need to win out to return to the CONCACAF Champions League. Here are six things we learned, followed by player ratings, for the match between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact.

1. So long, Nelson

Early on in the first half, the Montreal Impact suffered a big blow. Nelson Rivas was subbed out for Wandrille Lefevre two minutes into the match, who was clearly out of shape. The next several minutes saw Toronto dominate possession, but show very little for it. Marco di Vaio got the start for Montreal, and he needed to make an early impact for L’Impact. A shot from Toronto in the 12th minute was collected by Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush.

2. Oh Henry!

In the 17th minute, a free kick from Toronto’s Daniel Lovitz to Gilberto was collected by Bush. Gilberto’s next attempt in the 20th was saved for a Toronto corner by Lovitz. Doneil Henry scored off the corner to make it 1-0 Toronto. The goal was Henry’s second goal in the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship. A free kick in the 23rd minute by Montreal’s Justin Mapp was cleared.

3. More injury problems for Montreal with Felipe

Ashtone Morgan was one of a number of Toronto young guns getting the nod in this match, and in the 33rd minute, he made a textbook clearance. Alvaro Rey came close to winning a penalty, and his frustrations in the 34th minute culminated in a booking by Silviu Petrescu. A shot in the 37th minute from Lovitz was saved. Dwayne de Rosario’s first attempt in the 42nd minute sailed across the face of goal. Felipe Martins was shaken up in the 45th minute with a back injury.

Toronto vs. Montreal First Half Stats
1 Corners 1
0 Missed Chances 0
33 Duels Won 25
9 Tackles Won 7
0 Saves 1
10 Clearances 6
1 Offsides 1
7 Fouls 8
1 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0

4. Toronto continue to roll with the punches

Early on in the second half, a shot from Mapp in the 47th minute via Jack McInerney hit the post. L’Impact were looking to press and they were getting some chances down pat. Toronto’s defense were looking to hold firm, despite Montreal stringing some passes together. Montreal’s Andres Romero won a corner in the 57th minute. Hernan Bernardello’s corner was punched aside by Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik for a second corner that was cleared. On the transition, Gilberto made a meal of his opportunity. A shot from De Rosario, who has 103 career MLS goals all-time, hit the near post in the 58th minute of play. A set piece for Lovitz at the hour mark was whistled back by Petrescu for a foul.

5. Here comes Justin Mapp

A corner from Lovitz in the 62nd minute was saved by Bush and an ensuing chance from Gilberto sailed wide. Di Vaio could have finished one off in the 64th minute but Justin Mapp didn’t find him. A shot from McInerney in the 67th minute could have been a handball on Toronto’s Steven Caldwell, drawing the ire of Frank Klopas. McInerney’s next shot in the 69th minute went over the far. Gilberto came close on an overhead kick in the 70th minute following some questionable defending from Bush and Lefevre. Mapp finally got on the scoresheet in the 73rd minute to put the match on level terms at 1-1. Patrice Bernier was there to deliver the assist.

6. Gilberto’s futile night comes to a head

The Mapp goal galvanized the Impact to perhaps secure an important road win. Nelsen looked to roll the dice late. Kyle Bekker came in in the 76th minute to relieve Jeremy Hall while Justin Morrow came in for Rey in the 79th minute. Scottish youngster Calum Mallace came in for Bernier in the 81st minute.

Gilberto won a free kick in the 83rd minute and Lefevre was booked due to a shirt tug, but the free kick went over the bar. In the 87th minute, Gilberto’s header sailed wide right. Di Vaio’s next opportunity in the first minute of second half stoppage time was headed across the face of goal. Toronto had a big chance in the third minute of stoppage time to gain the ascendancy but were called back for offsides.

Team Statistics

Toronto in blue, Montreal in red

Toronto FC Player Ratings

Joe Bendik 6, Nick Hagglund 6, Steven Caldwell 6, Doneil Henry 8, Ashtone Morgan 6, Alvaro Rey 5.5, Jeremy Hall 6, Bradley Orr 6, Daniel Lovitz 7, Dwayne De Rosario 5, Gilberto 5, Kyle Bekker 4, Justin Morrow 4

Montreal Impact Player Ratings

Evan Bush 6, Hassoun Camara 5, Nelson Rivas 1, Heath Pearch 6, Karl Ouimette 6, Patrice Bernier 7, Hernan Bernardello 6, Justin Mapp 8, Felipe Martins 6, Andrew Romero 5, Marco Di Vaio 5, Wandrille Lefevre 5.5, Jack McInerney 5, Calum Mallace 4