They talk about all those Stanley Cups. We ask what happened to the Expos. We just don't like each other.
It wasn’t a good weekend for Toronto sports in Montreal. The Habs topped the Leafs on Saturday and the Impact followed that up with a 2-1 win over the Reds on Sunday.
Toronto FC will have a chance for revenge on Thursday night in what will be the biggest game in club history. The fact this game will come against Montreal is almost fitting. The hate is real and the passion is undeniable.
Say “Montreal” to former TFC defender Adrian Serioux and he’s quick to react.
“I despise them,” said Serioux with a smile. “It’s a great city. I have nothing against the city and the people, but when you look at it from a sports aspect once you hear that name you’re going to go out there and battle.”
Though Serioux didn’t play against the Impact during his stint with the Reds, the former Canadian international did play against them during his time with the Toronto Lynx.
“There was anger, I don’t know if it’s because Quebec tried to separate from Canada,” said Serioux, laughing.
“Whenever we played against them they were the biggest games of the year. You always wanted to prove you were the best team in Canada.
Serioux, Toronto born and raised, didn’t feel the full brunt of the rivalry during his development as an amateur. But when he turned pro it was there in full force.
“It’s funny, growing up and coming through the ranks with the OSA and the CSA, there wasn’t that many players from Montreal coming into the provincial program,” he said. “It’s not until I started playing with the Toronto Lynx that I started to really feel the rivalry.
Now working as an analyst for Toronto FC TV, Serioux has seen the rivalry grow stronger since the Impact made the move to MLS.
“You can see the intensity when watching the games, now that I’m on the other side as a fan and an analyst,” said Serioux. “Being born and raised in Canada or not, when you play for TFC and play against Montreal you have to raise your level. It’s going to be a physical game and you could see that on Sunday.”
If we thought Sunday’s encounter had plenty on the line, it has nothing on Thursday night’s playoff match at Stade Saputo. The Reds will be playing for history in Montreal. It’s time for TFC to raise their level. Catch the game on TSN at 7:00 PM ET.
