Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC – Playoff Game Recap

Two Canadian sides of Major League Soccer met yesterday.  Each trying to write its new chapter in MLS playoff history.  However as the initial stage of the MLS Audi Cup Playoffs are a knockout competition, only one of these Canadian rivals was to prevail.

Last night is was Montreal Impact that reached the MLS Playoff Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time in the club’s history.

Toronto FC, who reached the Major League Soccer Playoffs for the first time in its history, has been sent home packing, and will have to wait for the next season for a chance to go further in the playoffs.

Hosts Montreal Impact started on the offence, mostly exploiting Toronto’s weakness in the defense.  The first goal of the night was scored by Montreal’s skipper Patrice Bernier.  Teammate Ignacio Piatti got a ball before midfield, kept going into the final third, and then passed to Bernier who ran through the middle past Tornoto’s back and scored from center of the box (18’).

Montreal Impact 1 – 0 Toronto FC

Piatti kept on producing for Montreal, and then got hold of a ball that was meant to Toronto’s Josh Williams who slipped.  Piatti then took an accurate shot to the left, doubling the Impact’s lead (33’).

Montreal Impact 2 – 0 Toronto FC

Things went from bad to worse for Tornoto FC before halftime even, when Montreal’s Designated Player Didier Drogba launched an attack and passed on to the right.  With an unsuccessful attempt from the right, Bernier shot across to unmarked Drogba, who in the meantime positioned himself in the left side of the box.  Drogba tripled Montreal’s lead (39’).

Montreal Impact 3 – 0 Toronto FC

Toronto FC’s great white hope, MVP Sebastian Giovinco did not manage to perform his magic and shake off Montreal’s defense for most of the night.  At the few chances he did have at goal, Montreal’s keeper Evan Bush was able to deny the Atomic Ant from any goal-scoring opportunities.