If Montréal were in MLS, this would be the league's biggest rivalry. With that, it's pretty obvious that TFC v. the Impact is the biggest rivalry Canadian soccer has right now. It's not exactly an age-old rivalry, seeing as we're only in our third year of existence. Rivalries between Toronto teams and Montréal teams are age-old though, and when you add in the footy supporters, this already blows any "Leafs and Habs" fan rivalry out of the water.
Last year, July 22 was a terrible day for us as a club (remember when that one guy missed from 12 inches?), and Montréal supporters will love that. After all, it was their side who was in a supposedly "lower league" that beat us in the inaugural Nutrilite Canadian Championship. As a whole, MLS is a lot better than the USL - you won't see a Juan Pablo Angel in the USL anytime soon. This isn't league play though. This is cup play. Giant-killers are a common thing in the FA Cup over in England. It's not like we're "giants" compared to USL sides, but we are better as a whole.
This year's Canadian Championships are a must-win, as is tomorrow's clash at home with the Montréal Impact.
The Impact haven't been doing so hot as of late. They are 0-3-1 in their USL season so far, however have only played one home match (which they lost). I watched them play on Saturday on the good oll' CBC Radio Canada and they looked like a tricky side. They have some clever wingers, while Eddie Sebrango and Roberto Brown give them a pretty potent strike force. The formbook generally gets thrown away when a cup game comes around, so the fact that they are winless in four games this season means nothing - kinda like how they won't care that we're unbeaten in five.
The fact that we're unbeaten in five matches means something to us of course. This is without a doubt one of the most important matches of this year for us, so we should have some confidence going into this one having already won a game in this tournament and having been in good form in MLS.
The food-poisoning epidemic has passed, and everyone should be good to go for this one. I'm not sure how Adrian Serioux is doing, but after missing the match against Vancouver last week, I'm sure he'll be dying to get his first action of the tournament. Chris Cummins lives by the philosophy that we have to field our strongest side available for every match, so keeping that in mind, here is how I think we might line up tomorrow night...
Last year, July 22 was a terrible day for us as a club (remember when that one guy missed from 12 inches?), and Montréal supporters will love that. After all, it was their side who was in a supposedly "lower league" that beat us in the inaugural Nutrilite Canadian Championship. As a whole, MLS is a lot better than the USL - you won't see a Juan Pablo Angel in the USL anytime soon. This isn't league play though. This is cup play. Giant-killers are a common thing in the FA Cup over in England. It's not like we're "giants" compared to USL sides, but we are better as a whole.
This year's Canadian Championships are a must-win, as is tomorrow's clash at home with the Montréal Impact.
The Impact haven't been doing so hot as of late. They are 0-3-1 in their USL season so far, however have only played one home match (which they lost). I watched them play on Saturday on the good oll' CBC Radio Canada and they looked like a tricky side. They have some clever wingers, while Eddie Sebrango and Roberto Brown give them a pretty potent strike force. The formbook generally gets thrown away when a cup game comes around, so the fact that they are winless in four games this season means nothing - kinda like how they won't care that we're unbeaten in five.
The fact that we're unbeaten in five matches means something to us of course. This is without a doubt one of the most important matches of this year for us, so we should have some confidence going into this one having already won a game in this tournament and having been in good form in MLS.
The food-poisoning epidemic has passed, and everyone should be good to go for this one. I'm not sure how Adrian Serioux is doing, but after missing the match against Vancouver last week, I'm sure he'll be dying to get his first action of the tournament. Chris Cummins lives by the philosophy that we have to field our strongest side available for every match, so keeping that in mind, here is how I think we might line up tomorrow night...
---------------------Frei--------------------
Wynne-----Serioux-----Velez-----Brennan
-------------------Robinson-----------------
-------Harmse---------------Guevara------
Barrett---------------------------De Rosario
---------------------Vitti--------------------
Wynne-----Serioux-----Velez-----Brennan
-------------------Robinson-----------------
-------Harmse---------------Guevara------
Barrett---------------------------De Rosario
---------------------Vitti--------------------
I'm sure Cummins will revert back to the 4-3-3 since just about everyone will be healthy enough to play. Harmse played well again at DC United on Saturday, so I'd expect him to retain his spot in the starting eleven over Sam Cronin. I'm hoping Pablo Vitti starts up top, because surely he can do better with the scoring opportunities than Barrett has.
The weather's supposed to be beautiful, and we know that both sets of supporters will be in good voice. This has the makings of a Canadian football classic. Let's hope it is one. My prediction? 3-1 Toronto. Enjoy the match.
The weather's supposed to be beautiful, and we know that both sets of supporters will be in good voice. This has the makings of a Canadian football classic. Let's hope it is one. My prediction? 3-1 Toronto. Enjoy the match.
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3 comments:
How about Barrett is a sitter tomorrow since he continually likes to miss them...
Ziiiiiiiing!
so did he read my zinger before the game? haha
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