TORONTO - Despite a 1-0 deficit, an early injury and a missed penalty kick call, the Montreal Impact showed loads of character on Wednesday night, coming from behind to earn a 1-1 road draw at BMO Field against Canadian rivals Toronto FC in the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship.
The Impact, once again facing a number of bad breaks, had to show its metal on two occasions: the first when central defender Nelson Rivas was forced out of the game after making his first start in 2014, and the second coming when a clear handball by TFC defender Steven Caldwell in the box was missed by officials with 20 minutes left to play, which should have resulted in a PK on the play.
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“It was a slow start for us,” said Impact head coach Frank Klopas. “We got beat on another set piece, but we maintained after that. The second half we came out as a different team. We competed better and Justin Mapp scored a beautiful goal. But for me, we have to talk about two clear hand balls. It was crystal clear and it’s embarrassing. With the importance of this final, at least make the players decide it, not the referee."
The game’s first goal came when Toronto defender Doneil Henry used his size and strength to get up and power a header past Bush after a missed assignment in the 20th minute, putting the ball under the crossbar after getting on to the end of a corner kick by Daniel Lovitz.
Redemption came in the 73rd minute when Justin Mapp made one of his patented runs down the right flank, cutting past two defenders and curling a golazo far post.
"It was a tale of two different halves," said defender Wandrille Lefèvre, who came on in relief of Rivas. "We were angry at the way we were playing and we knew we had to come out better in the second half. We came out with more energy, found that road goal and after the start we had, the result is good for us."
Making adjustments at half-time, the bleu-blanc-noir changed its 4-2-3-1 formation, bringing in striker Jack McInerney to play alongside Marco Di Vaio in a 4-4-2 setup, as Brazilian Felipe was substituted.
The change seemed to pay dividends in the second frame as the Impact managed to penetrate the final third on a number of occasions, including early on when Hernan Bernardello, looking for Jack Mac at the far post, put a cross into the box that skimmed the crossbar.
The return leg of the ACC final is set for next Wednesday, June 4 at Stade Saputo, with the Impact holding the upper hand after scoring a road goal in the draw. The Impact will try to hoist the Voyageurs Cup for the first time on Montreal soil, after taking its two previous titles on the road.
"We are not going to approach the game as we have an advantage after scoring the away goal," added captain Patrice Bernier. "We have one more game to play and it's going to be a real final, a one off at our place. We are going to have to push and win it clearly at home."
Before the second leg, the Impact will host the Eastern Conference leading New England Revolution at Stade Saputo this Saturday, at 7pm in MLS regular season play. Get your tickets here »
Lineups
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Karl W. Ouimette, Heath Pearce, Nelson Rivas (Wandrille Lefèvre 3’), Hassoun Camara; M-Patrice Bernier (Calum Mallace 81’), Hernan Bernardello, Andrés Romero, Felipe (Jack McInerney 45’), Justin Mapp; F-Marco Di Vaio
Subs not used: GK-Troy Perkins; D-Adrian Lopez; F-Santiago Gonzalez
TOR – GK-Joe Bendik; D-Nick Hagglund, Steven Caldwell, Doneil Henry, Ashtone Morgan; M-Alvaro Rey (Justin Morrow 79’), Bradley Orr, Jeremy Hall (Kyle Bekker 76’), Daniel Lovitz; F-Dwayne De Rosario, Gilberto
Subs not used: GK-Chris Konopka; D-Mark Bloom; M-Ryan Richter; F-Jermain Defoe, Andrew Wiedeman
Goals
TOR – Henry (Lovitz) 20’
MTL – Mapp (Bernier) 73’
Cautions
TOR – Rey 35’
MTL – Lefèvre 83’
