Toronto FC to Play in Pre-season Rowdies Suncoast Invitational Tournament

April 23 will be the real date that Toronto FC have circled on their calendar, but preseason will give the club an early chance to face their rival Montreal Impact. It was annouced today that Toronto, along with Montreal, the Philadelphia Union, New York City FC, D.C United and the New York Red Bulls will be hosted by the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Suncoast Invitational Tournament.

While a preseason clash with the Impact won't really offer an opportunity to exact revenge on the Montreal club that eliminated Toronto from the playoffs last year, it will be a good test. Playing a challenging preseason is important, as the club will need all the momentum they can get for the difficult road trip they have to start the 2016 MLS season.

They will face the Impact in the second last game of that eight game road trip on April 23 at Saputo Stadium in a match that promises to be an emotional affair. Before that, however, they will get a preview next month when they play them on February 24 in their opening game of the Suncoast Tournament.

Toronto are only scheduled to play two games during the tournament, the second of which comes against the Philadelphia Union on February 27.  The Montreal match will be played at Joe Dimaggio Sports Complex while the club will meet the Union at Al Lang Stadium, the Rowdies home field.

For those looking to fly down tickets range between $20-$10 dollars for the games, and are full day tickets which will mean access to all matches on that day. The tournament itself starts on February 17 and goes until February 27.

Here is the full schedule of games, with those involving Toronto FC highlighted in bold. The match schedule is subject to change.

Wednesday, February 17 - Al Lang Stadium
D.C. United vs Philadelphia Union, 4 p.m.
New York City FC vs Montreal Impact, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 20 - Al Lang Stadium
D.C. United vs Montreal Impact, 4 p.m.
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Philadelphia Union, 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 24 - Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex
Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact, 4 p.m.
New York Red Bulls vs Philadelphia Union, 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 27 - Al Lang Stadium
Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC, 4 p.m.
Tampa Bay Rowdies vs Montreal Impact, 7:00 p.m.