The Challengers: Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC
When: Wednesday, May 6, 2015 - 7:30 PM ET (Sportsnet World and online at Sportsnet.ca)
Weather: High of 24' degrees, sunny and 0% chance of rain.
Toronto FC's Projected Starting XI
Three Keys: A Chance For The Young Guns
A contingent of players that have spent most of the 2015 season with Toronto FC II in the USL will suit up on Wednesday night. Only players signed to MLS contracts are allowed to play in the competition, ruling out the likes of Mo Babouli and Wes Charpie, who have impressed under the tutelage of Jason Bent. Instead, this match will give a chance to the likes of Jay Chapman, Quillan Roberts, Jordan Hamilton and Chris Mannella to get more big game experience. Hamilton is the most likely to start on Wednesday night, while Roberts will almost certainly travel with the team with Bendik on the mend.
Giovinco And Altidore Stay In Toronto
A number of players remained in Toronto for rest and recovery ahead of Sunday’s home opener against the Houston Dynamo. Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, Robbie Findley and Jackson will train in Toronto in the coming days, while Steven Caldwell, Joe Bendik and Mark Bloom continue to recover from injuries. Though Michael Bradley, Damien Perquis and Benoit Cheyrou did travel with the team to Montreal, it’s possible none of them play the entire 90 minutes.
Who Made The Trip
Chris Konopka, Quillan Roberts, Damien Perquis, Nick Hagglund, Ashtone Morgan, Justin Morrow, Eriq Zavaleta, Marky Delgado, Warren Creavalle, Chris Mannella, Jonathan Osorio, Jay Chapman, Daniel Lovitz, Michael Bradley, Collen Warner, Benoit Cheyrou, Luke Moore and Jordan Hamilton.
Chapman's Chance
Jay Chapman knows opportunities for playing time with the first team will be hard to come by this season but he’ll have a chance to show his mettle on Wednesday. “It’s awesome whenever I get a chance to travel with the first team,” said Chapman following training in Montreal. “This is where I want to be full time. Obviously the Canadian Championship is something that’s close to me, there’s a little more emotion. He’s getting a chance to learn from Michael Bradley and Benoit Cheyrou, two players that have been around. What they do off the field stands out for the Michigan State product. “Their knowledge, the day to day in terms of how they act,” he said. “Not being late to meals, stuff like that. You can tell they’ve been there, gone through the early mornings by just watching their mannerisms."
Projected Montreal Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
Eric Kronberg, Eric Miller, Wandrille Lefèvre, Bakary Soumare, Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé; Patrice Bernier, Marco Donadel; Dominic Oduro, Eric Alexander, Maxim Tissot; Kenny Cooper
Greg Vanney On The Match
Where To Watch
Catch the game at 7:30 PM ET on Sportsnet World. You can also watch online for free (Canada only) by clicking this link.
