Following a 4-2 win at BMO Field last Wednesday defence was going to be the name of the game for the Reds at Stade Saputo.
Two away goals by the Montreal Impact left the door open for Mauro Biello's team in the return leg on Wednesday night.
Instead, Toronto FC was able to shutdown Didier Drogba & Co. on the way to a 0-0 draw and a 4-2 win on aggregate to advance to the final of the Canadian Championship against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Here's what Greg Vanney, Drew Moor and Will Johnson had to say following the match.
Greg Vanney
On the result and performance
“I’m pleased. We came here with a two-goal lead, so our intentions were not just to sit back and defend, but also to try to play. If we could get to halftime even or up one, that was our first objective. We knew that, in the second half, if they hadn’t scored and hadn’t brought the number down a little bit, they would throw numbers forward.”
On the defensive organization
“With the way we go about things and the guys we have on our team, we’ll create chances. For us, we’ve done a good job against Montreal this season of keeping their scoring chances to a minimum and keeping them off the board. If you can do that against Montreal or anyone else, you give yourself a great chance to win.”
On Will Johnson’s return and fitness
“He was gutting it through in the last part. He stretched for a ball and felt a little bit of what he was trying to fight off. He’s got 10 days now to fully recover.”
Drew Moor
On the performance tonight
“That was a good team performance. We did what we wanted to do. I think it was a good defensive performance, but we didn’t come in trying to sitting back and absorbing pressure. I thought we were able to break out and create some chances. We are happy to be through to the final.”
On the defensive unit
“The defence over both legs was absolutely great. Nick Hagglund, Eriq Zavaleta, Ashtone Morgan and Steven Beitashour were absolute monsters.”
Will Johnson
On the team performance
“I didn’t think they would score unless they got a penalty. That’s how we felt on the field. We felt comfortable. They’re a good team, obviously they have good players. We were solid in our shape, we had the lead, we protected that lead and I think we deserve to move on over both legs.”
On shutting down Drogba
“We got numbers around him. When Ignacio Piatti [does not play], they struggle to have dangerous guys who really threaten to score. You focus on Drogba, obviously he’s the guy who will score goals for them. If the other guys beat you, so be it, but you don’t let Drogba beat you. That’s what we did tonight and the other guys around Drogba did not score.”
Tickets for the first leg of the Canadian Championship final against the Vancouver Whitecaps go on sale this Friday at 1:00 PM ET.
