Hosts Toronto FC sure had a lot going for them last night, the home-side advantage, Sebastian Giovinco on a hot run, Michal Bradley who is becoming a legendary number 10 in Major League Soccer.
Visitors Montreal Impact have never won before at BMO Filed. Add Impact’s recent troubles with striker Didier Drogba and influential playmaker Ignacio Piatti unable to play due to injuries, and you could have probably guessed the odds of this match pretty accurately.
However, at certain times during last night’s meeting between the two Canadian sides, it seemed as if Montreal stand a chance to reverse its fortunes. Sadly, these chances never materialised and Toronto FC won at the end as initially expected.
Montreal Impact had the best opportunity to take an early lead, when forward Dominic Oduro seemed to have lost balance and miss a shot to an open goal from a close distance.
Although the visitors were clearly on the back foot from start, the Impact did put good effort into fending off Toronto’s attacks for most of the first half. The hosts did finally manage to capitalize on an opportunity towards half time. Jonathan Osorio passed across from the left to Michael Bradley who was in the center, and Bradley gently flicked the ball into the lower right corner of Montreal’s goal (35’).
Toronto FC 1 – 0 Montreal Impact
The second goal of the night came soon after half time, when Osario hit Montreal’s top-left post. The ball bounced back to composed Jozy Altidore, who completed a shot to the back of the net (55’).
Toronto FC 2 – 0 Montreal Impact
A night full of Injuries on Toronto’s side saw Sebastian Giovinco being substitute off early in the second half (51’).
This gave Montreal some tail wind, and although very disorganized, the Impacts did continue to create a few opportunities. Notably, Andres Romero passed a ball backwards from the left to the center of Toronto’s box, to find Dominic Oduro who scored for Montreal (74’).
Toronto FC 2 – 1 Montreal Impact
If Montreal Impact did have any hopes of rallying back and saving the game, these hopes were short lived. With Laurent Ciman tackling Toronto’s Robbie Findley for a second unnecessary foul on the night. Ciman accumulated his second yellow, was shown the red card and sent off.
Next Saturday, Sep. 5th, Toronto travel to Seattle and Montreal host Chicago Fire.
