Toronto FC will face the Montreal Impact on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 PM ET in Clearwater, FL at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. The match will be streamed live on torontofc.ca.
Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore are not expected to play in Wednesday’s match, giving an opportunity to Jordan Hamilton and Mo Babouli to make a final impression before the team departs Florida on Sunday.
Greg Vanney will continue to stretch out minutes for the starters. “That’s what preseason is all about,” said Vanney on Sunday. “We’ll utilize the two remaining games to give the guys push in that way.”
Wednesday’s match will be the first 401 derby experience for a pair of newcomers.
“It’s very evident how this fanbase feels about Montreal,” said defender Drew Moor following Tuesday’s training session. “Regardless of the fact that it’s the preseason, it’s Red against Blue. I’ve been in some pretty good rivalries in MLS and this will be a new one. This rivalry probably runs deeper than anything I’ve played in so far. I’m looking forward to Wednesday and a result is important at this point because again, winning needs to be a habit.”
Clint Irwin knows that geographic proximity plays a big role in this rivalry, having played in Ottawa earlier in his career.
“It makes sense from a Canadian perspective,” said Irwin. “I’m interested to see how that plays out. I haven’t been a part of it yet, but playing in [Ottawa] before I knew of that provincial rivalry. I’m looking forward to getting integrated into it."
Though the Reds have mainly played in a 4-3-3 during the preseason so far, they lined up in a 4-4-2 towards the end of Sunday’s match against Orlando City SC and continued to do so during training on Tuesday following an off day on Monday.
Toronto FC Projected Starting XI: Irwin; Morrow, Moor, Perquis, Williams; Endoh, Cheyrou, Bradley, Johnson; Osorio, Gomez.
Join MLS MVP Sebastian Giovinco and the rest of Toronto FC at BMO Field this season. 2016 Toronto FC Season Seats are on sale from $608 and up. In addition to Toronto FC Season Tickets, the Reds are currently on sale with TFC II Season Seats at $75.00 for TFC Season Seat Holders & $120.00 for non-TFC season seat holders. For More information head to TorontoFC.ca/tickets
