FT: Toronto FC 1–0 Montreal Impact

Live Match Thread:

FT: Toronto FC 1-0 Montreal Impact. 18 games unbeaten for the Reds, one back of the MLS record.

90+4—Quentin Westberg saves comfortably off the ensuing free kick. We’re getting well into the three minutes of injury time now...

90+3—Pozuelo and Victor Wanyama going at it. As Steven Caldwell pointed out, Wanyama has been trying to stir some thing up. Poz is getting frustrated, thus a yellow.

90’—It’s been a solid 10 minutes for TFC, but there minutes of injury time still to go. Shout out to Liam Fraser who has been great since coming on.

80’—With TFC clinging onto a one-goal lead, Liam Fraser checks into the match for Marky Delgado. Laurent Ciman also comes on to replace Justin Morrow, who appears to have picked up a knock. Finally, Tsubasa Endoh checks into the match for Pablo Piatti. Let’s see if the Reds can see this one out.

78’—What is happening!? Quioto gets behind the TFC defence and slots home for Montreal, but he’s called offside! Damn, that was close.

78’—As usual, some great insight from The Real SK Fan in our comments: “I’m glad this Canadian series has enabled more officials to get their first MLS games. In particular, I’ve been heartened to see at least two women get their chances.” Preach.

76’—Chance for Montreal as a ball goes off Michael Bradley’s arm in the box. Unlike the Montreal defender, however, MB4’s arm was by his side. An ensuing cross goes just past a Montreal attacker at the far post as TFC hold off their Quebec counterparts, for now.

68’—Montreal defender Camacho pulls down Alejandro Pozuelo’s shorts to stop a counter-attack! Like what? Yellow card to the defender. Great sliding tackle by Justin Morrow moments earlier to stop a Montreal attack.

66’—Pablo Piatti gets in behind and appears to be taken down by a Montreal defender! He’s back to his feet, but it looked like he a legitimate shout. Nothing given by the referee, however.

60’—Brilliant defending from Justin Morrow who is able to scramble back and clear a cross at the back post. A crucial interception from the TFC veteran and leader of the BPCMLS.

55’—Chance(s)! Great link-up play at the top of the box between Pozuelo and Piatti finds the Argentine in the box 1-on-1 with the keeper, but his chip goes high. Marky Delgado then has a golden opportunity, but he skies it.

54’—Love me a Marky Delgado nutmeg.

50’—GOAL! Toronto FC 1 - 0 Montreal Impact — Alejandro Pozuelo makes no mistake, slotting it into the right corner sending the keeper the other way. Hopefully this opens the game up.

48’—PENALTY! Hand ball in the box gives TFC a kick from the spot. Damn that’s a bad bounce for Montreal, but we’ll take it.

46’—We’re back. No subs from either side to begin the second half. Still looking for our first goal.

Some halftime reading via Benedict Rhodes: Toronto FC continue to support the BLM movement by kneeling before kickoff

HT: 0-0 — What do the Reds need to change? Who would you like to see come into the match?

37’—Jokes. VAR check for a possible offside... and this one’s coming back. A Number 9 would not have gone offside...

36’—GOAL! It’s the Super SUB! Toronto FC 1 - 0 Montreal Impact — Nick DeLeon gets up after Auro swings in a great cross! Who says we need a Number 9!?

31’—Still scoreless between Montreal and Toronto, but breaking news elsewhere as Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen is taking a leave of absent after his egregious anti-protest comments yesterday. It’s a start.

29’—It’s glaringly obvious the Reds are missing a number 9/goal-scoring threat right now. Erickson Gallardo? Tsubasa Endoh?

20’—TFC still creating half chances and dictating play without a striker. It appears that Poz has taken up that False 9 role.

15’—And Patrick Mullins has pulled up with a hamstring injury. Cool, cool. cool. cool. cool. Nick DeLeon comes in to replace Mullins. You have to feel for him.

13’—Chance! Alejandro Pozuelo receives a cross from Justin Morrow at the top of the six-yard box, but he’s unable to pull the trigger. Thought he may have had the opportunity to get a shot off...

7’—As expected, it’s been a slow start from both Toronto FC and Montreal Impact.

1’—Players take a knee before kickoff. And we’re off. So far, everything seems normal.

8:08 p.m. EST—Congrats to Jonathan Osorio for making his 250th Toronto FC appearance tonight. H/T Martyn Bailey.

8:07 p.m. EST—Both Michael Bradley and Greg Vanney stand for the Canadian National anthem while the rest of Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact take a knee. Kind of an odd moment, not going to lie.

8:02 p.m. EST—KJ saying that the animosity has increased over the past few days between these two teams... I love the 401 Derby. Best rivalry in MLS. Keep an eye.

7:57 p.m. EST—Patrick Mullins starting up top with both Altidore and Akinola absent. We’ll see what they can get out of their striker tonight.

7:53 p.m. EST—Last call to get your guesses in our prediction league. If you waited until the last minute, you may have gotten a huge hint for our bonus question this week.

7:47 p.m. EST—Preach, Kristian Jack. On the TSN pregame broadcast, he just reiterated his thoughts from Footy Talks Live earlier this week.

7:45 p.m. EST—For what it’s worth, Toronto FC players did arrive at the Stade Saputo and players did take the field for warmups.

7;33 p.m. EST—According to the always-reliable Joshua Kloke of The Athletic, Richie Laryea is absent from the #TFCLive roster with an ankle injury. Jozy Altidore is healthy and travelled with the team but is not in the matchday roster.

7:20 p.m. EST—I’d be lying if I told you when I woke up this morning I thought there would be a match today, but nevertheless, here we are. Thank you all for joining us on this Friday evening! I believe WTR Writer Tej Sahota put it best, so I’ll wrap up my intro with a tweet of his:

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Starting XI:

Jozy Altidore, Richie Laryea, and Ayo Akinola are absent, while Justin Morrow makes his return to the Toronto FC Starting XI.

Thierry Henry’s Starting XI vs. TFC tonight:

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Match Preview:

Two days after the players’ strong protest against racial injustice and the shooting of Jacob Blake, Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact are expected to resume play Friday night at the Stade Saputo.

Instead of a normal match preview, we’re going to leave this here (via MLS):

MLS Resumes Play Tonight; Black Players for Change to Meet with Owners

NEW YORK (Friday, Aug. 28, 2020) – On Wednesday, Aug. 26, Major League Soccer players stood in solidarity with athletes across North America, as MLS matches were postponed in recognition of the struggle for racial equality and human rights. The league, its clubs, owners and staff supported this effort and the goal of bringing recognition to these important issues.

Following a period of reflection and conversation with the Black Players for Change (BPC), the league’s players, and the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), matches will resume beginning tonight with the Montreal Impact hosting Toronto FC.

The Black Players for Change are scheduled to meet with MLS owners, as the players and the league continue working together to create long-term change both inside and outside of MLS.

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