Montreal Impact 0, Toronto FC 0 | Amway Canadian Championship Match Recap

Nick Rosano

Toronto FC rode a spirited defensive effort to a berth in the Amway Canadian Championship final, securing a 0-0 draw on the road against the Montreal Impact to take their semifinal series by an aggregate scoreline of 4-2.

The Reds were happy to play a conservative game, holding a two-goal lead in the series after their win at BMO Field last week, and did an effective job of containing the Impact throughout the contest. The best Impact chance of the game came in the 36th minute when Lucas Ontivero shook a couple defenders to find an open look at the top of the box, which he drilled at the near post only for Clint Irwin to get down well to deny him.

It was Ontivero who would prove to be Montreal’s undoing, though, after he was sent off on the hour mark for a headbutt on TFC's Will Johnson. Montreal did have a good chance in the 73rd minute through substitute Cameron Porter, but his turn and shot was easily smothered by Clint Irwin.

Toronto will now face the winner of the Vancouver Whitecaps-Ottawa Fury series in the ACC final, with the first leg starting on either June 21 or 22.

Box Score

Three Things

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT, PT. II: Last week in Toronto, we saw an excellent offensive performance from TFC’s young guns. Head coach Greg Vanney stuck by his kids in the second leg, but the game situation called for a much different approach from the outset with the team looking to maintain a precarious lead on aggregate. They were up to the task, though, with Eriq Zavaleta and Ashtone Morgan joining vets Drew Moor and Steven Beitashour to do a sterling job on defense, while TFC’s attackers did a fine job of hassling the Impact’s backline. It wasn’t the prettiest of efforts, but it’s a side of the game that every coach loves to see from his youngsters.
SEEING RED: The Impact had a man ejected for the second straight game when Ontivero saw red for a headbutt, largely borne out of frustration, on Will Johnson, after he felt he was obstructed cutting into the box. It was a huge blow for Montreal, as Ontivero had been one of the most dangerous players on the field until that point, and one they could not recover from.
NO NACHO FOR YOU: The biggest miss for Montreal on the evening may not have been any chance on the field, but playmaker Ignacio Piatti, who was ruled out for three weeks last Friday after undergoing hand surgery. Montreal coach Mauro Biello opted for a 4-4-2 formation in his absence, with Michael Salazar partnering Didier Drogba up top, but failed to generate quality looks at goal, or much coherent offense at all, without their star No. 10.