Toronto FC Still Clinging to Playoff Dream Against Montreal Impact
Few anticipated Toronto FC missing out on the playoffs after spending a Major League Soccer record amount on team salary during the offseason. Management brought in the likes of Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley, Julio Cesar, Gilberto, and Dwayne De Rosario, to help the club earn their first ever postseason birth. However, with just two games left to play in the season, they have the slimmest of chances of playing in November, and that dream could officially be put to rest after Saturday’s tilt with Montreal.
It has not been a great season for Montreal, in fact, its been downright terrible. The team currently sit with the least amount of points in the entire league, in what will be Marco Di Vaio’s last season with the club. The team`s first ever designated player, and all-time leading scorer in MLS, has decided to finally call it a career, and will likely be in the lineup against Toronto, despite being in Italy earlier this week.
Di Vaio was present his old club Bologna’s press conference announcing that Impact owner, Joey Saputo, along with New York laywer, Joe Tacopina, have purchased the second division club. Rumours have already begun to circulate that Di Vaio could also be an investor in the team, but no official announcement has been made yet.
Unlike Montreal, Toronto’s European designated player, Jermain Defoe, will not be in the lineup on Saturday. Head coach, Greg Vanney, revealed at practice on Friday that he had aggravated his groin injury and will not be available against the Impact. Many had speculated that Saturday would likely be Defoe’s last game at BMO Field. but we may have already seen the last of Defoe in Toronto.
Saturday afternoon will be the fourth time the two Canadian rivals have meet this season, but only the second in league play. While Toronto were able to defeat Montreal at Stade Saputo in the only previous MLS match between the two teams this season, Montreal beat Toronto 2-1 on aggregate to lift the Voyageurs Cup and take the Canadian Championship for the second consecutive season. As a result, Montreal earned a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League and are scheduled to take on New York at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday.
Montreal’s game against the Red Bulls on Wednesday shouldn’t change Frank Klopas’ starting eleven too much against Toronto though, as the Impact have already clinched the group with wins from their opening three matches in the competition. There is nothing that would please Impact fans more than to officially eliminate Toronto from postseason contention, and that would happen with a win or draw at BMO Field.
Toronto FC have lost their last three consecutive matches, including a midweek game at home against Houston last Wednesday. The losses to Los Angeles, Houston, and New York, have all but officially ended Toronto’s playoff hopes. However, the team could still find themselves in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history if they win their final two matches, and Columbus lose theirs.
It’ll be an interesting atmosphere at BMO Field on Saturday, with a frustrated fan base eager to express their disappointment. A large amount of Impact support is also expected to make the trip across the 401 for Saturday’s game, which could help foster an even more hostile crowd for both teams.