- Toronto FC Wins Group C of the MLS is Back Tournament.
- They played a goalless draw against New England Revolution yesterday.
- Montreal Impact defeated DC United, 1-0, keeping its chances to advance to the next stage.
Toronto and New England Settle for a Draw
Even though there were plenty of solid chances during the regular 90 minutes, both Toronto and the Revolution couldn’t score. Nevertheless, this outcome was good for both sides, as they advanced to the knockout stage of the MLS is Back tournament.
With five points each, they secured their places, regardless of the last match in the group between Montreal and DC United. In the worst-case scenario, which by the way, didn’t happen in the end, the Revolution could have slipped to third place in the group, but because of the points won, they would be through on the rankings of the third-placed clubs.
Toronto’s head coach Greg Vanney was as he said “pleased” with the way his boys played and responded to the circumstances. The game took place at 9 am.
“I’m pleased,” said Vanney. “I’d be hard-pressed to say that there’s another team at a tournament that’s had as difficult a schedule as we have in playing two games at 9 a.m. and one off of two days’ rest.”
In the end, Toronto won the group because of a better goal difference, as they had more goals scored when compared to New England.
Impact Defeats DC United, Keeps Its Chances for Advancing
Almost everybody saw DC United winning this clash, and advancing to the knockout stage. A minimal win would have secured that for the team from the USA capital. Even a draw would most likely push them into the next round.
But, Impact responded with one tough and brave performance, and eventually, they grabbed a minimal victory here. Their head coach, Thierry Henry, told that his team showed mental strength, and overcame all the problems to win this one.
“Today, or this morning, they showed me that they can respond,” Henry told at the press conference. “It wasn’t pleasant, it wasn’t pretty in the second half, but we [hung] in there, stayed tight and we got the result we needed.”
The only goal in the match was the work of Saphir Taider. It was one of the most beautiful goals in the entire tournament, with him sending a screamer from some 35 yards. DC United’s goalie, Bill Hamid, didn’t have any chance of stopping the shot.
Meanwhile, Impact’s goalie Clement Diop saved its team on at least three occasions. We need to say that at some points, DC had the initiative and that they dictated the tempo on the field.
Montreal has three points and a negative goal difference of -1. There are six more matches to be played in the entire group stage before determining the rankings of the third-placed teams. So far, Montreal has realistic chances to find its place among the top four.
The knockout stage of MLS is Back tournament begins on July 25.
