May 26, 2008 MLS Toronto FC prepare for game against Montreal (from Toronto FC Media Relations)
05/26/2008 5:17PM
Reds Set For Canadian showdown
Toronto faces Montreal Impact in Nutrilite Canadian Championship
Toronto FC Media Relations
Toronto FC are set to face Canadian opposition for the first time when the battle to be named "kings of Canadian soccer" starts Tuesday night against the USL First Division Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo in Montreal.
It's the first game in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, with the winner of the round-robin competition also involving the Vancouver Whitecaps, gaining the Canadian berth in the newly formed CONCACAF Champions League which will begin play in August.
Toronto FC coach John Carver believes this game is just as important as the league games.
"Within minutes of the game finishing on Saturday against D.C. I stressed the importance of this game," Carver said. "I told the players to ask the Canadian boys how important this game is. On a scale of one to 10, it's 10. We're here to win it. It's an opportunity for us to get some silverware and to go on and progress against very good quality opposition. We'll put our strongest team possible out and hopefully be successful."
Carver has only been in Canada for three months, but knows the importance of clashes between Toronto and Montreal.
"This is like a derby match, a Newcastle v Sunderland game, Arsenal v Tottenham or Celtic against Rangers," he said. "I'm aware of how important it is and I know the passion of the Canadian people. Everyone wants bragging rights and I want to make our fans happy by making sure we win the tournament.
"I've seen the rivalry within hockey and that is huge," Carver continued. "Why should soccer be any different? It's healthy for the game to have a rivalry like that. It would be great to get Montreal and Vancouver in the MLS. It would be good for us and good for the game in Canada."
It is not just Canadian bragging rights that Carver has his eye on heading into the game in Montreal.
"There's a pot of gold at the end of this tournament," said the Reds coach. "We'll get extra money by getting into the Champions League, but it's also a chance for the players to go up against the best teams in CONCACAF. As a player you thrive on wanting to play against the best in the world, not just the best in your own league. So that adds to the excitement.
"It would be great if this becomes like the FA Cup in England. You have to start somewhere, and in years to come, it would be great to have lots more sides involved in the competition. It would be a fantastic situation for the game in this country if that ever happened."
The Impact (2-4-1) have made a slow start in the United Soccer League, winning just two of their first seven games. They haven't had much chance to settle into their new home, Stade Saputo, having played their first six games on the road. Danny Dichio and the rest of the TFC attack will come up against a familiar face in the Montreal team -- former TFC defender Adam Braz. Montreal goalkeeper Matt Jordan played in MLS with Dallas and Columbus. Former USL MVP Joey Gjertsen leads the Impact attack.
Toronto FC will be without Amado Guevara and Maurice Edu, as both are away on international duty. Edu is in the U.S. squad to face England at Wembley on Wednesday.
"It gives a chance to other players to get a place in the team, and then try and keep that place," said Carver.
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