Toronto FC will open up their Eastern Conference Championship showdown against the Montreal Impact on Tuesday at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. The teams will play a two-leg aggregate series, with the return leg on November 30 at BMO Field. Here is what you need to know about the Impact heading into the series.
2016 Season: A ride on a La Ronde Rollercoaster
Montreal finished the regular season in 5th place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 11-11-12. The year was full of peaks and valleys for Le bleu-blanc-noir. The Impact had two major slumps during the season. The Impact recorded just four points in six games between April and May, then another stretch where they only recorded five points in eight games in August/September. Outside of those two dips in form, the team went 10-4-6. The season also had its fair share of drama, with superstar Didier Drogba holding out at the end of the season for reportedly clashing with management over their decision to have the striker come off the bench.
The Impact upset D.C United in their knockout round victory, 4-2 at RFK Stadium. Matteo Mancosu scored twice in the victory. Montreal then went on to defeat the New York Red Bulls 3-1 on aggregate to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
Key Player: Ignacio Piatti
The 31-year-old Argentine put together an MVP-caliber season for the Impact. Piatti scored 17 goals while adding six assists in 32 games this season. Piatti was the only Impact player to score against the Reds in MLS play this year (3/3). Piatti has not slowed down in the playoffs either. He has three goals and an assist in the three playoff matches to date.
Unsung Hero: Marco Donadel and Hernan Bernardello
These two defensive minded midfielders are crucial to the Impact’s counter-attacking style. The two players do a great job of winning the ball and springing both Piatti and speedy former Red Dominic Oduro, as well as helping Laurent Ciman and the backline. The veteran midfielders combined for five assists and one goal in 33 games this year.
Coach: Mauro Biello
The former Impact striker is in his first full season as head coach of his hometown team. He took over in August of 2015 after Frank Klopas was relieved of his duties. Biello has guided the Impact to an 18-13-14 record during his tenure.
Injuries:
​M Andres Romero – Out
Projected Lineup:
Mauro Biello sent out this lineup in both legs against the Red Bulls. Barring an injury in training, anticipate the lineup to remain the same. Even though the game is being played on the turf inside the Big O, expect Didier Drogba to be used as a late-game substitute.
