Montreal Impact need a Miracle Win over Toronto FC

With their hopes of reaching the Canadian Championship Final slim, Al Dannity says the Impact need to pull out all the stops to top Toronto FC.

The great escape Barcelona have planned in the Camp Nou is bigger but only slightly less arduous than the task facing the Montreal Impact tonight. While the Impact only trail 2-0 after the first leg, in contrast to the 4-0 deficit facing Lionel Messi and pals, history is very much against them. Toronto’s hold on the Voyageurs Cup is tight. The Reds have saved their best performances for the defence of this trophy they hold so dear. For Montreal to end their reign, they must make an impact (pardon the pun) early tonight. Irrational exuberance however would also prove less than wise.

“We have one thing on our mind, and that’s to get the result we need to continue on in this Cup,” Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush told the Montreal Gazette. “I don’t think that we need to panic from the start. Obviously, we need two goals and possibly more down the road … we’ll see. But if we go out there and we don’t expose ourselves at the start I think that we can manage the game and I think chances will come to us and we’ve got guys who can score those chances.”

With a place in the CONCACAF Champions League at stake, the importance of this game won’t be lost on the Montreal squad. Unbeaten at home this season and coming into the game off a 2-0 home win over the Chicago Fire, the Impact have what it takes to get a result tonight. The problem will be in breaking down Toronto’s defence. There’s no real incentive for the Reds to break out. That’s why an early goal is vital. If Montreal can score in the first half hour, they can unsettle their rivals. Suddenly Toronto’s advantage would look far from safe. Toronto’s coach, Ryan Nelsen, expects a tough test and will field his best available side to step up to the challenge.

“I know Montreal will be coming out all guns blazing, they’ll play their strongest team possible and I know their fans will be right behind them. It’s a great test for us. Their pride was hurt last Wednesday and I think they’ll be going out with their strongest team possible to beat us,” said Nelsen. Tonight’s other semi-final sees the Vancouver Whitecaps host FC Edmonton. The Caps hold a 3-2 lead from the first leg and will be favoured to go through in Soccer betting.