The Toronto FC U-14s (2004) enjoyed their Canada Day long weekend bringing home some silverware from the 2018 Montreal Impact L’International U14 Tournament.
The tournament, held at the Impact’s training facility the Centre Nutrilait, consisted of eight teams. The host Impact, CS Saint-Laurent (Quebec), Bologna FC (Italy), The Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, New England Revolution, and D.C. United. The Reds were drawn into a group with Bologna, CS Saint-Laurent, and D.C..
The boys opened up the group stage with a 2-0 win over D.C. United. Hugo Mbongue scored both the goals in the win well Dino Bontis held down the clean sheet. The second game of the group stage saw TFC battle Italian side, Bologna. TFC came away with a tight 1-0 victory with Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty scoring the goal and Bontis earning another CS. They closed out the group stage with a 1-1 draw against CS Saint-Laurent. Luca Accettola had the goal.
The Reds finished top of their group and faced off against Houston in the quarter-finals. TFC knocked off the Dynamo 1-0 with Mbongue scoring the winner.
On Saturday, the Reds then faced a difficult task in the semifinals against the Chicago Fire who had yet to be defeated at the tournament. TFC continued their strong play at both ends holding the fire off with another 1-0 victory. Aidan Hugo scored the winner and Bontis held another clean sheet.
The final pitted TFC vs. Bologna once again. Bologna, who is owned by Impact owner Joey Saputo, we're looking to keep the trophy within the Saputo ownership family. However, the Reds impressed once again holding the Italian side off the board with Shayan Soltanzadeh scoring the tournament clincher.
Congratulations to all the boys on an impressive tournament. TFC scored seven goals and conceded just once in the six games.