2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 9
Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact
BMO Field – Toronto
September 1 – 8:00 PM ET
TV: TSN, TVA Sports
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US
Toronto FC can tie the MLS record for consecutive matches without a defeat at 19, while the Montreal Impact would love to end the Reds run at history and earn a measure of revenge for a loss at Stade Saputo Friday when the rivals square off at BMO Field Tuesday night.
An Alejandro Pozuelo penalty kick five minutes into the second half was all that separated the Canadian Classique foes Friday night in Montreal. It was Toronto's 18th consecutive regular season match without defeat, tying the New York Red Bulls (July 2016-March 2017) and Real Salt Lake (July 2010-April 2011) for second longest runs in league history.
Columbus Crew SC (July 2014-April 2005) and FC Dallas (May 2010-October 2010) are tied with 19 matches in a row without a loss.
Toronto FC
It was an emotional night at Stade Saputo in the first league match played since five contests were postponed Wednesday night as MLS players showed solidarity with other professional athletes in a show of support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
"There’s a lot of things going on, there’s a lot of things on people’s minds. Our guys rallied and pulled it together for the game," Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney said. "This is the platform. To be out on the field and in front of the cameras and be able to speak, this is the platform that we all have, and we can use to speak up on behalf of social justice. We know that and we want to do that from, we said the top of the hill. So, we win games we try to keep ourselves on the top of the hill, so we have more ability to shout and to call out for social justice and social equality.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Achara (M) - ACL injury
- OUT: Patrick Mullins (F) - hamstring tightness
- QUESTIONABLE: Richie Laryea (D) - ankle sprain
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Montreal Impact
The Impact players said they didn't want to play Friday night, but that's not why Montreal lost to their bitter rivals, according to manager Thierry Henry, who revels in the chance for redemption back at BMO Field.
“Toronto kept the ball at the beginning and didn’t give us the ball back cheaply. [Alejandro] Pozuelo, [Pablo] Piatti – guys like that in the middle. [Marky] Delgado with [Michael] Bradley – they know how to manage the ball," Henry said. "And so it became difficult for us to get it back. Once you don’t get it back, you can’t obviously impose your style and so it became difficult. Like I said, they were better than us on the day, but we have an opportunity to rectify that on Tuesday.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Steeven Saba (M) - left foot injury
- OUT: Mathieu Choinière (M) - ankle injury
- OUT: Ballou Tabla (M) - adductor injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Toronto FC
- Toronto FC: 6 wins, 19 goals
- Impact: 3 wins, 21 goals
- 5 draws
Officials
- Referee: Drew Fischer
- Assistant Referees: Gianni Facchini, Chantal Boudreau
- 4th Official: Fabrizio Stasolla
- VAR: Geoff Gamble
