Toronto FC 4 – 3 Montreal Impact FC
By Luis Martinez
Orlando, FL – What a Game!!! The group of Greg Vanney scores 4 times on the Impact’s net and advanced to the next round, whereas Montreal Impact, although they have one last match against D.C. United, are going back home to Canada.
In this encounter, it is Richie Laryea who started the action, with an assist with Alex Pozuelo, by scoring a great goal to open the scoring.
However, Montreal recovered swiftly, with Romel Quioto equalizing to make it 1-1.
On the 25th minute, once again assisted by Pozuelo and the recently signed franchise player, Argentinian Pablo Piatti, Ayo Akinola struck again to make it 2-1.
Right away, IMFC responded again and Safir Taider equalized to make it 2-2, but Akinola wasn’t finished and his show was getting started as he made it 3-2 almost immediately.
In the second half, both teams were fighting for the ball possession and both teams created their own opportunities to win, but it would be TFC who would finish things off at the 83rd minute as Akinola netted his first hat trick in MLS and the first one in this MLS Canadian Derby!!!
Montreal got a third goal comes late into extra time with a penalty, but it was not enough and it secured the Impact’s ticket back home. The Reds advance as the leader of the group C.
Photos Courtesy of MLS
Match stats
TORONTO FC – Quentin Westberg; Auro Jr., Omar Gonzalez, Chris Mavinga, Richie Laryea (Jacob Shaffelburg 85’), Michael Bradley (C), Mark Delgado (Liam Fraser 66’), Alejandro Pozuelo; Pablo Piatti (Nick DeLeon 66’), Tsubasa Endoh (Laurent Ciman 59’), Ayo Akinola (Griffin Dorsey 86’)
MONTREAL – Clement Diop; Luis Binks (Rod Fanni HT’), Jukka Raitala (C), Jorge Corrales; Wanyama, Samuel Piette, Saphir Taider, Emanuel Maciel (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 73’), Shamit Shome (Zachary Brault-Guillard HT’); Romell Quioto (Orji Okwonkwo 79’), Maximiliano Urruti (Bojan 68’)
Shots: TOR 9 – MTL 8
Shots on target: TOR 6 – MTL 6
Possession: TOR 57% – MTL 43%
Fouls: TOR 11 – MTL 9
Yellow cards: TOR 1 – MTL 0
Offsides: TOR 3 – MTL 1
Corners: TOR 7 – MTL 2
