Impact’s performance against Toronto FC on Sunday will go a long way toward deciding Montreal’s playoff chances

MLS has designated this week as Rivalry Week and it’s fitting the focus will be on the Impact and Toronto FC as they meet at Saputo Stadium Sunday (4:30 p.m., TSN 1, TSN 4, TVA Sports, TSN-690 Radio).

There’s added emotion any time teams from Montreal and Toronto clash and this rivalry took on a new dimension after Toronto FC defeated the Impact in the Eastern Conference final series last fall.

“The emotions of last year in terms of that series, where we thought we were in control and then they came back and it flipflopped back and forth, it was an emotional roller-coaster for everyone,” Impact coach Mauro Biello said. “It was a big disappointment for us and our fan base, but that’s what makes this game special. They’re the top team in the league, but we’re finding our rhythm and it sets up as a good matchup.”

Toronto FC has the best record in MLS and is unbeaten in its last eight games. The Impact have won four in a row and climbed above the red line in the standings that separates the six playoff-bound teams from the have-nots. But that hold on sixth place is tenuous.

While they met in the Canadian Championship — Toronto FC won the two-game series — Sunday’s meeting is the first of three regular season games. The next two are in Toronto Sept. 20 and Oct. 15.

“You want to play the best and they’re certainly the best in the league,” goalkeeper Evan Bush said. “We know these three games will determine whether we get in the playoffs. Mentally and physically, we’re ready for the challenge.”

Toronto’s Jozy Altidore provided some bulletin-board material Friday when he said it would be beautiful if the Impact missed the playoffs as a result of losses to Toronto FC.

“They want to put us out because they don’t want to face us again in the playoffs,” Biello said. “We’ll let the play on the field do the talking.”

Midfielder Marco Donadel has resumed training and could be available Sunday, but Biello will likely stick with mid-season acquisition Samuel Piette. The Repentigny native has played a strong defensive role since returning from Spain.

He’ll be experiencing the Montreal-Toronto rivalry up close for the first time.

“I know it’s there in MLS, but also in hockey, football and a long time ago in baseball, and I’m excited to be part of it,” Piette said. “I’ll be playing against guys on the other side who are friends on the national team, but on Sunday they’re all enemies.”