MLS Canadian Roundup: Toronto FC Trending
Rivalry Week featured a clash between Canadian outfits Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact on Saturday night at BMO Field with Toronto coming out on top. Meanwhile, Vancouver Whitecaps FC fell to the Houston Dynamo in the hot Texas heat.
Toronto FC 2-1 Montreal Impact
The “401 Derby” was sure to be an exciting tilt between Toronto and Montreal, as both sides looked to further their chances of making the post-season with three points up for grabs.
However, the Montreal Impact were without forward Didier Drogba, who did not travel with the team to Toronto for this contest because of a nagging toe injury.
Canadian midfielder Jonathan Osorio would get things started for Toronto FC in the 35th minute, finding an open Michael Bradley in the Impact box with a brilliant pass. Bradley made no mistake potting the ball into the bottom right corner to give Toronto the opening tally.
Toronto superstar Sebastian Giovinco was also credited with an assist on the goal, as he sent the ball to Osorio to start the play.
More from CF Montreal
- MLS Terminates Contract of Matko Miljevic with CF Montréal: Reflections on Conduct and Responsibility
- CF Montreal 0-0 Chicago Fire: Does anyone win?
- CF Montréal vs Chicago Fire match preview – Last chance saloon
- Grade the Trade: Rudy Camacho’s move to Columbus
- Montreal signs defender Fernando Álvarez from Pachuca
In the second half, Osorio was buzzing again, receiving a pass and blasting it at the post. However, Toronto forward Jozy Altidore was there to send the rebound into the net with a beautiful spinning volley in the 55th minute to make it 2-0 for Toronto. This was the third goal in two games for the red-hot Altidore.
In the 74th minute, the Impact would get on the board as forward Dominic Oduro, who looked dangerous all game, would finally put one in off of an Andres Romero pass. Oduro slipped the ball into the left corner to bring the Impact within one goal.
The Impact would press for another goal, but could not find the equalizer. Toronto won the game and now has back-to-back wins at home.
For a more in-depth look at this game from MLS Multiplex, click here.
However, it wasn’t all good news for Toronto FC. In the 51st minute, Giovinco aggravated an adductor muscle injury and was forced out of the game. This injury came just two days after he was named to Italy’s Euro 2016 qualifiers. It has now been reported that Giovinco will not play in those matches.
This is a tough loss for Italy, Toronto FC and Major League Soccer if the injury persists.
Meanwhile, the Montreal Impact have since fired head coach Frank Klopas, who will be replaced by assistant Mauro Biello on an interim basis. Klopas is the first MLS coach to be sacked this season.
Toronto travels to CenturyLink Field to take on Seattle Sounders FC next on Sept. 5. Montreal, on the other hand, will play host to the Chicago Fire at Saputo Stadium on Sept. 5.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0-2 Houston Dynamo
Fresh off winning their first Voyageurs Cup against the Montreal Impact on Wednesday, the Whitecaps were right back in regular season action on Saturday when they travelled to BBVA Compass Stadium to meet the Houston Dynamo.
Playing their third game in eight days, the Whitecaps looked fatigued in this one. Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson did try to get some fresh legs into the match, which was evident in his starting 11, but that was not enough for the ‘Caps to hold off a motivated Dynamo team.
Midfielder Ricardo Clark got things started for the Dynamo in the 34th minute, sliding the ball into the net to finish off a cheeky Dynamo play.
Tired legs led to poor challenges from the ‘Caps in the second half. Whitecaps defender Kendall Waston was sent off in the 56th minute after accumulating two yellow cards and, to make matters worse, midfielder Matias Laba was also sent off after receiving his second yellow of the night only eight minutes later.
Playing with only nine men, this game was over early. Dynamo defender Raul Rodriguez would finish the game up in the 87th minute off a corner kick. Rodriguez would send a header behind everyone and into the net to give Houston a two-goal lead.
The Whitecaps had a chance to move back into first place in the overall MLS standings with a victory, but instead remain in second behind the Los Angeles Galaxy.
However, the ‘Caps do have one game in hand over the Galaxy, who only sit one point ahead of Vancouver for top spot, so the Supporters’ Shield is still in sights for Vancouver.
The Whitecaps have a deserved week off next week and are back at BC Place on Sept. 9 when they host the Colorado Rapids.
Canadian Player Spotlight: Tesho Akindele
FC Dallas forward and Calgary native Tesho Akindele scored the winning goal in Dallas’ 2-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday. Early in the second half, the Canadian international was taken down in the Real Salt Lake box and was awarded a penalty kick.
He would subsequently step up and send the ball into the back of the net in the 51st minute. It was Akindele’s fourth goal of the season and first since May.
Akindele looked strong the entire game, as he registered four shot attempts and played the full 90 minutes.