Since 2012, when the Montreal Impact joined MLS, the rivals in blue and in red have faced each other 25 times in all competitions. TFC leads with ten wins to IMFC’s eight, while seven games ended with the spoils shared. Let’s make a quick comeback on five notable games – from an IMFC point of view – from this Eastern Canadian derby.
Olympic Stadium, April 7, 2012
MLS Regular Season
IMFC 2-1 TFC
Montreal Impact’s second home game in MLS already pits it up against rival Toronto FC. In front of over 23,000 people, the Bleu-blanc-noir grabs its first MLS win, thanks to goals by Sinisa Ubiparipovic and Andrew Wenger. Toronto still offers some kind of resistance through Danny Koeverman’s late finish, even though Logan Emory was sent to an early shower by the referee 25 minutes before the final whistle.
BMO Field, May 9, 2012
Amway Canadian Championship semi-final second leg
TFC 2-0 IMFC
After a scoreless draw at Stade Saputo, the Impact travelled to BMO Field with the hope of winning its ticket to the Amway Canadian Championship final at TFC’s expense. Montreal’s hopes wouldn’t last long, Reggie Lambe scoring only 2 minutes after kickoff and Ryan Johnson putting salt in the wound in the 38th minute after Richard Eckersley saw red in the 17th. Even with the man advantage, the Impact could not find the back of the net. Final score: Toronto FC 2, Montreal Impact 0. This remains the only time TFC progressed against the Impact in the Canadian Championship since Montreal’s arrival in MLS.
Stade Saputo, May 1, 2013
Amway Canadian Championship semi-final second leg
IMFC 6-0 TFC
The short trip to Toronto for the 2013 Canadian Championship semi-final first leg couldn’t have been worse for the Impact: a 2-0 loss put the players in red firmly in command. The Impact squad still went to work in the return leg and was rewarded handsomely, delivering 90 memorable minutes to the supporters by annihilating the enemy 6-0. The Impact is on its way to an eighth Voyageurs Cup.
Stade Saputo, June 4, 2014
Amway Canadian Championship final second leg
IMFC 1-0 TFC
Before its historical trip to the CONCACAF Champions League final last year, the Impact had to put a lot of effort on many levels, starting in the Canadian Championship semi-final, where a last-minute penalty kick by captain Bernier allowed the club to go through against Edmonton, to the final against Toronto where Justin Mapp’s away goal gave Montreal a small advantage for the return leg. In the end, Felipe drove the final nail in TFC’s coffin in injury time after controlling Di Vaio’s rebound off the crossbar. The Voyageurs Cup lands in Montreal for the ninth time, a record. The Impact spreads its wings towards the Champions League.
Stade Saputo, October 28, 2015
MLS Cup Playoffs knockout game
IMFC 3-0 TFC
Three goals to the good. IMFC leaders stood up for this first ever MLS playoff home game, between two Canadian teams, no less. It only took a breakaway from the captain, a defensive mistake to give Piatti a golden chance and a Drogba volley into an open goal to ruin Toronto FC’s first appearance in the fall tournament. Better luck next time… or not.
