Montreal, which fell to the Houston Dynamo 3-0 in 2013 in its only other MLS playoff game in playoff history, raced out to a 3-0 halftime lead on Canadian rival Toronto FC at Stade Saputo and coasted to a win by that tally.
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The former Chelsea striker scored his 12th goal in 12 games for the Canadians to round off a rampant first-half performance as they set up a two-legged tie with Columbus Crew.
But playing at home will be key for the Bleu-Blanc-Noir though Mauro Biello’s squad will be playing it’s 3rd game in 1 week.
The Montreal Impact opened the scoring in dramatic fashion, when local boy and team captain Patrice Bernier scored the club’s first ever playoff marker in the 19th minute. “Countless franchises don’t win in their first year”.
In the 34th minute, Piatti found his own marker when he intercepted a pass in front of goal, leaned on his defender, and curled one low, far post past goalkeeper Chris Konopka. Of course, individualities are showcased, often attacking players like Nacho, like me, like Pat [Bernier] who really likes to go forward. “From the back four, to the middle and the top”, said Nigel Reo-Coker. The whole squad allows us to play games like these, to score.
Which Toronto FC controlled the ball for most of the second half, they didn’t have any exit plan for the massive hole they had dug themselves into.
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All three goals came in a whirlwind twenty-minute spell during the first-half, as the hosts tore TFC to shreds. Montreal had been battling for a playoff berth when Drogba arrived but made it into the post-season thanks to the Ivorian’s goals. Game 1 is Sunday in Montreal, and Game 2 is November 8 in Columbus.
