Rivals take different approaches

Toronto is unbeaten in eight games since a 3-1 defeat in Dallas on July 1. With 53 points from 26 games, the Reds are six points clear of New York City for top spot in the conference and are drawing nearer the league record of 68 points set by the 1998 Los Angeles Galaxy.

“It’s exciting,” Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush said. “You want to play the best teams and they’re certainly the best team this year.

“We’re ready to go. We know these three games against them, starting this weekend, will determine a lot about whether we get in the playoffs, or where we are when we get into the playoffs.”

Montreal will benefit from a week off since their 3-1home win last week over Salt Lake, while TFC will be playing a third game in eight days. Toronto got a big 3-1 win at Chicago last Saturday and drubbed Philadelphia 3-0 at home on Wednesday night.

Like any good rivalry, there have been nasty moments from both sides. The most recent was Montreal defender Kyle Fisher plowing into and injuring TFC fullback Steven Beitashour.

“If you play anybody seven or eight times over the course of a season, you’re going to develop a rivalry because there’s going to be tensions,” Bush said. “Results, calls or decisions go against you or for you. One side always feels on the wrong end of it.”

Tactical differences add to the allure.

TFC likes to keep the ball and build attacks, with Spanish midfielder Victor Vazquez feeding Altidore in front or the dynamic Sebastian Giovinco on the wing.

Montreal stays back, tries to lull opponents to sleep and then hits quickly on the counterattack.

“When they’re at their best, they’re a team that is very defensively organized,” TFC coach Greg Vanney said of the Impact.

“They have guys who can defend and then they can cheat a little bit on the attacking side.