After Mexico series win, Toronto FC turning attentions to familiar rival
Fresh from its Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal win over Mexico’s Tigres, Toronto FC is pondering some injury question-marks and the prospect of playing on a “garbage” surface Saturday at Montreal’s Olympic’s Stadium
MLS champion Toronto has been preoccupied with the CONCACAF club championship to date this season, playing four games in the tournament to just one in the league. But with a little less than three weeks before having to face Mexico’s Club America in the CONCACAF semifinal, Toronto turns its attention to a more familiar foe in the Montreal Impact (0-2-0).
“It’ll be noisy, it will be loud,” said coach Greg Vanney. “It’s a
very big field.
“All these little things, they’re a bonus because there’s just a little added extra intensity in
the game and that’s good for us right now. And it’s good for the game.”
Toronto, which lost 2-0 to visiting Columbus in its only MLS game to date this season, has some injury concerns.
Defenders Justin Morrow and Chris Mavinga had to leave the Tuesday Tigres game early. Midfielder Victor Vazquez has been dealing with a back injury.
Listed as day-to-day with a calf issue, Morrow was walking gingerly Thursday. Mavinga was said to be doing better, described as “very probable” for Saturday. Vanney, however, says Mavinga’s injury is in a “growing potential sports hernia area” and will likely require action at some point.
Vazquez is also improving but Vanney may well look to keep him off the unforgiving artificial turf at Olympic Stadium. One of the strike force of Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco could also be given the day off due to the playing surface.