Week 8 of the MLS regular season is fast approaching, and the Montreal Impact host Toronto FC this Friday evening at Stade Saputo (8 pm ET | TSN, TVA Sports; MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US).
Here’s the quick rundown of what to watch for in 2020’s second installment of the Canadian Classique, and the first one this season on Canadian soil.
Players return to the field
Five games were postponed Wednesday evening after player-led protests across MLS in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting in Wisconsin. The first match back will see these two Canadian rivals in action on Friday night, but the fight for social justice remains very much in the foreground.
While the issues of racial equality and police brutality are unfolding in the United States, they extend north of the border as well. Look no further than how TFC forward Jozy Altidore and Montreal head coach Thierry Henry have remained outspoken on these issues for months.
Toronto’s roll
Even though Toronto were sent packing in the Round of 16 at the MLS is Back Tournament, they’ve been formidable ever since the regular season got underway. They recently seized pole position in our weekly Power Rankings post and they are one point removed from first place in the Eastern Conference, powered by two wins against a struggling Vancouver Whitecaps side.
But could this be the match where Greg Vanney’s group is humbled? Montreal swept aside Vancouver on Tuesday, notching a 2-0 win at their home ground, and this season they have certainly proven unpredictable.
Plus, these sides already met down in Orlando on July 16 and produced fireworks in a wild 4-3 win for the Reds. This matchup, with rivalry rights on the table, can prove explosive.
The right mix?
The Impact have several options in the final third, but it’s up to Henry to find the right combination. Based on Montreal’s dispatch of Vancouver midweek, they might be onto something.
Lassi Lappalainen started for the first time since last September, and the Finnish winger factored into both goals, scoring the 2-0 decider in the 40th minute. Then in another wrinkle, Henry again slotted Honduran forward Romell Quioto up top instead of on the flank. Quioto, of course, scored in the 18th minute to get the ball rolling.
Tight turnarounds might result in squad rotation, but Henry’s clearly a fan of Quioto in the No. 9 role. Lappalainen’s speed out wide is always an added bonus, too.
Akinola’s return?
Ayo Akinola is off the Toronto FC injury report, so we could see the 20-year-old back in action. The hamstring injury was an unfortunate setback for the Homegrown Player, who burst onto the scene at the MLS is Back Tournament.
While in Orlando, Akinola recorded five goals in three games. Lest you forgot, he recorded a hat trick against the Impact and clearly found ways to unlock their defense.
Toronto haven’t exactly been hurting for goals, and Altidore’s back in the mix while searching for his first goal of 2020. But it’ll be worth tracking how much time, if any, Akinola gets.
UPDATE (Fri., Aug. 28 @ 7:15 p.m. ET): No Altidore or Akinola in the squad for Toronto FC against Montreal after the matchday squads were announced an hour before the match. Patrick Mullins got the surprise start instead.
Smooth like Maciel
We've hardly seen Emanuel Maciel play in MLS – he's only logged 163 minutes across two matches, to be exact – but there are encouraging signs from the Argentine midfielder.
Look no further than his assist on Lappalainen's goal from Tuesday night (watch above), when he hit an inch-perfect long ball behind the Vancouver defense with his left foot. The forward burst in behind and tucked it home within a few touches.
Again, it's only one highlight from Maciel, a 23-year-old center mid who arrived in February from San Lorenzo as part of the Ignacio Piatti move. But it's also a hint of the silky passing that could come. He also recorded an assist against Toronto back in July.
