Toronto FC, Montreal Impact renew rivalry

Besides sharing a country, Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact seem to have little in common as far as the franchises go.

Toronto won the 2017 MLS Cup and this week advanced to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League with a series win over Mexican powerhouse Tigres. Montreal finished ninth in the Eastern Conference last season, failed to make the playoffs and cleaned house.

However, there is one thing that unites the teams as they face each other Saturday at Olympic Stadium in Montreal - both have lost to the Columbus Crew. Toronto was defeated 2-0 in its season opener on March 3 in its lone league match.

Montreal is 0-2-0 after falling 2-1 at Vancouver and then last week losing 3-2 in Ohio.

"Regardless of what's happening on their part, the derby's enough to fuel everyone," Toronto forward Tosaint Ricketts said. "You can always expect an intense game when you go to Montreal or if they come here. Everyone's excited."

Montreal hopes its surges in each of the second halves vs. Vancouver and Columbus will be to its advantage against a Toronto side that played in Mexico on Tuesday.

The Impact trailed by two goals at Vancouver before rallying for a goal. The Crew led 2-0 at the half but Montreal scored twice, only to lose on a penalty kick in stoppage time.

"I think we've seen two games now that we've been fitter than the other team and that gives us the confidence to push the game late when we need to," Montreal defender Daniel Lovitz said. "We wish we didn't have to push for the game, we'd like to be playing from in front, not behind, but to know that we have that in our back pocket is huge."

--Field Level Media