Don’t try telling Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact that the Amway Canadian Championship doesn’t matter.
These two sides will square off Wednesday in the first leg of this year’s final, and if you think they’re not taking it seriously, you’d be sorely mistaken. Sure, both clubs’ top priority this season is qualifying for Major League Soccer’s playoffs. But TFC vs. the Impact is a heated rivalry no matter the circumstances, and when a trophy is at stake, losing is a particularity bitter pill to swallow.
Here are three storylines to watch for in this match.
Wednesday programming alert: Watch Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact in the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship final live on Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet Word. Coverage begins at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm ET. Sportsnet World Online | TV schedule
Can Montreal keep a clean sheet?
Montreal is tied for the second-worst defensive record in MLS, with 22 goals conceded and just one clean sheet in 11 matches.
Even in the Amway semifinals against FC Edmonton of the second-tier NASL, the Impact gave up four goals over the two legs. Yikes!
Part of the problem is that coach Frank Klopas has tinkered with his backline early on in the season. But he’s also had to deal with injuries. Currently, veteran Matteo Ferrari, Adrian Lopez and rookie Eric Miller are sidelined.
Colombian centre back Nelson Rivas started training again after a lengthy injury layoff and could play his first game of 2014 on Wednesday. Regardless of who sees action in defence, Montreal needs to keep Toronto off the score sheet if it is to have any chance of winning the tie in next week’s second leg at Stade Saputo.
“We’ve been facing adversity all season long,” defender Heath Pearce said. “We believe in our plan and we are going to stick to it. A cup game can bring a whole other dynamic to what’s been a difficult season. There is a different energy because you playing for something in particular and it could change a season.”
Dero expected to start for TFC
With Luke Moore nursing a groin injury and Jermain Defoe expected to be rested for the Reds’ MLS game on the weekend, look for Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen to start Gilberto and Dwayne De Rosario up front.
De Rosario, who turned 36 earlier this month, has been limited to six MLS appearances this season, most of them as a substitute. The Canadian international has found it difficult to get playing time in his second stint with the team, especially with Defoe and Gilberto ahead of him on the depth chart.
But Toronto has three games in the next seven days, so the club’s all-time leading scorer should expect to see some minutes. This is also a great opportunity for de Rosario to come good and prove to Nelsen that he’s not a spent force and can contribute.
“It’s a little bit of a frustrating time for me, but I have to keep focused and keep my head in it. There’s a lot of games ahead and it’s a long season, and when I do get my opportunities I have to make the most of them,” De Rosario said.
The Canadian club championship is special to De Rosario, who won back-to-back tournament MVP honours in 2009 and 2010. The 2009 victory was De Rosario’s first playing with his hometown team in Toronto.
“For me it was a first championship coming back home, a championship for my city, a championship for TFC, and it was a special moment,” De Rosario said. “And hopefully I can create another special moment (Wednesday) and win back that trophy for this club.”
No Warner for TFC
Toronto will be without midfielder Collen Warner, who recently acquired in a trade with Montreal. Warner is cup tied for this competition, having previously played for the Impact in the semifinals. Likewise, winger Issey Nakajima-Farran, who TFC sent to Montreal in the trade, won’t be available to play for the Impact for the same reason.
With the Reds’ already missing Michael Bradley, who is away on international duty with the United States, and with Jonathan Osorio and Jackson ruled out with injuries, Toronto’s midfield is a bit thin, which means Nelsen will have to juggle his lineup. Look for defender Bradley Orr to start his third straight game in central midfield.
The absence of Warner is an even bigger blow in light of his solid debut for TFC in last week’s 2-2 draw away to Sporting Kansas City.
“For me, it was a man of the match performance. I thought he was absolutely brilliant,” Nelsen offered. “He got stronger as the game went on and he had a influence on both of our goals. It’s exactly why we brought him in.”
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