photo by Dan Hamilton/USA Today Sports
By FRANCO PANIZO
The Montreal Impact’s recent tournament success continued on Wednesday, and so did Toronto FC’s struggles.
An 84th-minute strike from Impact forward Dominic Oduro flipped the script on the club’s Canadian Championship semifinals series against Toronto, who won the second leg at BMO Field, 3-2, but was bounced out of the tournament on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate score.
TFC fielded a strong side that included its three Designated Players in Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Sebastian Giovinco, but the Impact’s reserve-filled team got the job done to reach August’s two-legged finals.
Altidore and Kenny Cooper exchanged goals in a span of three minutes in the first half, but Benoit Cheyrou and Sebastian Giovinco netted two minutes apart in the second stanza to put TFC back on top in the series. The Impact were not done, however, as Oduro scored late to break the hearts of Toronto fans and assure advancement for Montreal.
In the other Canadian Championship semifinals, the Vancouver Whitecaps also scored late to grab a result against visiting FC Edmonton. The delayed first leg of the two clubs’ semifinals series ended in a 1-1 draw after Gershon Koffie canceled out a fourth-minute strike from Tomi Ameobi by netting three minutes before the final whistle.
The Whitecaps, who started the match at BC Place with a young team, will need to grab an away goal in next week’s second leg at Clarke Stadium in order to reach the championship series.
The first leg between the Whitecaps and the Eddies was supposed to be played last week in Edmonton, but was postponed due to snowfall.
What do you think about the Impact eliminating Toronto FC from the Canadian Championship? Starting to really worry about the direction TFC is headed in this season? Who do you see coming out on top of the Edmonton-Vancouver series?
Share your thoughts below.
Yup. FC Edmonton looked far better. I am typically an MLS homer, but the NASL looks legit this year. NY Cosmos would easily give NYCFC or Red Bulls a good run.
LOL – good one. That was a reserve Whitecaps side – not a single player who played in their MLS game against Philly last weekend.
Edmonton was lucky to draw. They were gifted a goal off a terrible mistake and then bunkered for 86 minutes. A good result for them no doubt, but to say they looked far better is ridiculous.
Winner of cup goes to CCL?
Man, that crowd in Edmonton was crazy. 27k. Put a MLS team there now!
They played in Vancouver, but speaking of Edmonton, if they pull of the upset and the final is played between Montreal and Edmonton the year that Vancouver looks like one of the best teams in the West and TFC brings in all those big money players it would be embarrassing.
I didn’t wax lyrical enough about Jozy last time: I’m not particularly one of those Jozy fanboys that excused all or his Euroean adventures; BUT, anyone can clearly see that his time overseas wasn’t wasted. He’s playing a level above many of his teammates, with great hold up play and linkage. But his threat is more versatile than ever. Back to goal, running at players, give-and-gos, airial threat, incisive passing: all improved. His and Giovinco’s understanding is obviously superior to any of their teammates. Once TFC gets their defense in order and Bradley decided to wake up, then TFC will be fine.
I watched the TFC game last night, and most of their games this season. You sort of have to feel for TFC fans especially this season. Their defense is just so garbage.
Bradley is nowhere near as dominant as he should be in midfield. Altidore and Giovinco are playing amazing, individually and as a partnership. I believe that Altidore/Giovinco will eventually be as dangerous as Martins/Dempsey, maybe not as dynamic but definitely dangerous.
However, that TFC defense and midfield are just so, disjointed and almost clueless. Bradley included.
How frustrating for Giovinco and Altidore to be doing all that work for their team only to give up crappy goals time and time again.