MLS Club de Foot Montreal

Third Place up for Grabs as Impact Takes on TFC in Toronto

Published on October 25, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club de Foot Montreal News Release


TORONTO, Ontario - The Montreal Impact (14-12-7) plays its last game of the season, as it aims to secure the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a win against Toronto FC (5-17-11) this Saturday at BMO Field. The game will be broadcast live on RDS and TSN, as well as on radio on CJAD 800. You can also get live updates using the Impact mobile app or by following @impactmontreal on twitter .

The Impact is currently holding down third place in the East, ahead of three teams that are within reach: Chicago (49pts), Houston (48pts) and New England (48pts). The three teams play their remaining games this Sunday, with Houston traveling to DC United (1:30pm ET), the Revs on the road to Columbus (4pm ET) and Chicago taking on the Red Bulls in New York (5pm ET).

A win would officially qualify the team for its first ever playoff appearance and at the same time avoid the knockout game between the 4th and 5th placed teams.

Here are the different remaining scenarios:

If the Impact beats TFC

The Impact automatically qualifies for the playoffs. Houston and New England have no chance of catching the Impact. Chicago can only tie the Impact in points, and currently sit six goals back of the second tiebreaker between the two clubs (goals for).

If the Impact ties vs. TFC

Houston must win to pass the Impact. New England must win to pass the Impact. Chicago must win to pass the Impact or tie, scoring six more goals than the Impact after Saturday's game.

If the Impact loses to TFC

Houston would need to win to supplant the Impact, who holds the tiebreaker between these two clubs (wins). New England would need to win (same tiebreaker). Chicago would have to win or tie.

Head-To-Head

This is the fifth and final game between these teams in 2013.

The Impact won the first regular season matchup 2-1 in the team's home opener at Olympic Stadium on March 16, 2013. These teams then tied 3-3 at BMO Field on July 3. The Impact won 6-2 in the home and away aggregate goal series against TFC in the semi-final of the Amway Canadian Championship, losing the first leg 2-0 on April 24 at BMO Field before winning 6-0 on May 1 at Stade Saputo.

The Impact will be looking for its first ever win against TFC in Toronto. Since 2008, the team has a record of 0-4-3 in all competitions at BMO Field.

Impact News

The Impact is looking to ride the momentum of last weekend's 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union at Stade Saputo. In the process, Marco Di Vaio, whose next appearance will be the 50th of his career in MLS with the club, became just the 11th player in MLS history to hit the 20-goal plateau with his marker versus the Union, while Academy graduate, defender Karl W. Ouimette, scored his first career goal.

The Impact has played to a 4-8-4 record on the road in 2013, with two hard fought 1-0 defeats in its last two road games (Houston on October 4and LA on October 16).

Defender Alessandro Nesta will not travel with the team to Toronto due to an injury against the Philadelphia Union, last Saturday.

Midfielder Felipe needs 55 minutes to become the first player in Impact history in MLS to record 5,000 career minutes. He is one of eight players to surpass the 2,000 minutes this season: Troy Perkins (2,880), Matteo Ferrari (2,700), Marco Di Vaio (2,656), Hassoun Camara (2,784), Jeb Brovsky (2,610), Patrice Bernier (2,474), Felipe (2,293) and Justin Mapp (2,047).

Toronto FC news

Sitting in 8th spot in the Eastern Conference with just 26 points, Toronto FC fell 1-0 to the Chicago Fire last weekend, on a PK goal by Mike Magee, who is tied with the Impact's Di Vaio for the league lead at 20 goals.

Goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a number of keys saves in the away game, including one that's up for Save of the Week honours.

Newcomer Bright Dike, acquired from Portland in September, has been a constant presence for Toronto scoring his first goal three weeks ago since returning to action after a knee injury that had him sidelined from the beginning of the 2013 season.

Spanish midfielder Alvaro Rey has also brought some creativity to the TFC midfield, having scored one goal and added an assist in 12 appearances, while Canadian and Academy graduate Jonathan Osorio continues to perform well in his first season as a pro, scoring five goals in 27 appearances. Striker Robert Earnshaw leads the team with seven goals.

Midfielder Bobby Convey, acquired in a deal with SKC earlier in the season, missed the last game due an ankle injury but should be available Saturday. He has four assists so far this season.

2014 season tickets

Join the club in 2014. Get your season tickets before this Sunday October 27 and save between 25 and 44%. You can get your seat online at impactmontreal.com.

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