Travelers Cup | Various sources of motivation for Toronto FC and CF Montreal

(Montreal) The players of both teams will say it bluntly: motivation is never a problem when the roads of CF Montreal and Toronto FC cross. However, the two clubs will meet Sunday afternoon at the Saputo stadium and they have several reasons to aim for victory, beyond the simple pride associated with a triumph in a “derby”.

First, there is the stake of the match, the Voyageurs Cup, emblem of the Canadian Championship, and a pass for the CONCACAF Champions League in 2022. But there are also traces of the 2021 season. that the two formations want to erase.

For CF Montreal, it’s the duel on Saturday, October 23, the only one that Wilfried Nancy’s men did not win against Toronto FC in MLS. And even if they did not lose it, this 1-1 draw, following a goal by Jozy Altidore in the 95^e minute, hurt so much that defender Kamal Miller was still talking about this game on Friday as if it was a loss.

“This meeting gives us a lot of motivation because it left us with a bitter taste in our mouths, because of the way we lost this match, the way we could have ended this match, the way we had it. control of the game and that we have not completed the work, ”Miller admitted Friday afternoon by videoconference.

“It’s a good indication of what we can do against Toronto; we’ve done it before, during the season. Yes, it gives us additional motivation to prevent it from happening again, to remind them that we won’t give them a chance to get away with this this time around, and that we want to get the job done. ”

In fact, by going for this null verdict, Toronto FC did not officially deprive CF Montreal of a participation in the playoffs. In their last six outings, Wilfried Nancy’s men (1-2-3) have not helped each other by collecting only one victory.

Thus, CF Montreal (12-12-10) completed the calendar with 46 points, at 10^e rank in the Eastern Conference, two points behind the New York Red Bulls and seventh place.

However, Sunday’s clash will give the Montreal team the opportunity to make amends against their great rival.

“We want to stay perfect against Toronto this season. We have two wins and one draw, ”said midfielder Samuel Piette.

“Of course we will use this match [celui du 23 octobre] for motivation, yes, but at the same time, I don’t think we need more. It’s a final, at home too, against Toronto. All games against Toronto are always special and different from any other. So, yes, we have a bit of this feeling of revenge that we want to take against them, stay perfect and win this cup [des Voyageurs] », Added Piette.

At Toronto FC (6-18-10), we simply want to forget what has been one of the worst seasons in the history of the organization. As of October 16, the Toronto squad was guaranteed not to participate in the playoffs, which begin this weekend all over MLS.

“For us, it’s an opportunity to win a trophy and correct mistakes in a season where we would have liked to do better at certain levels,” admitted midfielder Richie Laryea.

After having to travel to Halifax, in September, and to Hamilton, a month later, to play its first two games in the framework of the Canadian Championship, CF Montreal will finally have the opportunity to evolve in front of its fans.

” We are happy. We were wondering about the draw – which way he was going to fall this time around, ”CF Montreal head coach Wilfried Nancy said of the home court advantage.

“He fell on our side, so that’s for sure what we wanted. We wanted to play at home, against Toronto, we know that. We are happy. We want to finish well for the players, of course, for the club, for the fans, for everyone. We are happy. ”

On the other hand, while he hasn’t given out a great deal of information on the players he will have available to him on Sunday afternoon, it looks like Nancy will have a nice array of who to choose from.

“I still have the opportunity to have a choice. I’m happy to see everyone again. It’s good for the group, it’s good for the dynamics and it was good to prepare the team and to have several options, knowing that, unfortunately, we only have 18 players instead of 20. It’s like that. We have to adjust. ”

With contributions from Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press