1-on-1 with Patrice Bernier: Talking history and hostility of 401 Derby

On Tuesday, Montreal Impact captain Patrice Bernier will lead his side through the tunnel at Olympic Stadium to face bitter rival Toronto FC in the MLS Eastern Conference Championship. Regardless of result, one Canadian team will make history and vie for the 2016 MLS Cup.

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Ahead of the first leg, theScore spoke with the Quebec-born midfielder about his expectations for the series and the Montreal-Toronto rivalry:

theScore: The Impact made history by becoming the first Canadian team to make the MLS Conference Championship - what was the mood like in the locker room after defeating the New York Red Bulls?

Bernier: It was ecstatic, it was fantastic. It was an exhilarating moment because the way the season ended, we fought hard to get into the playoffs. We had to get through the first playoff round and we're playing New York - they were heavy favorites to win it all.

Then we won it in a place where - we've played seven games at Red Bull Arena and hadn't won or even drawn in MLS, so to qualify and do it in a place and against a team that was pretty difficult ... yeah, the emotions were high and we were really happy to attain that level.

For the club, it's to keep on moving forward. Hopefully we're not done yet.

theScore: How did you find out you'd be facing Toronto FC, and what was the reaction?

Bernier: We thought it was going to be Toronto because they were already leading, heading into the second leg, with a 2-0 lead. Then, after 15 minutes, it was already 2-0 for them (again) as we were coming out of the locker room, so we just figured it was most likely going to be Toronto.

The last few seasons, we've played a lot against each other and each game seems to mean a little more, amplifies the intensity even more. It means more, having played them last season in the playoffs, and now we get them in the conference final.

For Canadian soccer, you can't ask for anything better. It's going to be nice, a high-packed, intense, emotional game.

theScore: In terms of the rivalry, this is as high-stakes as it can possibly get; how excited are you to be participating in what could very well be the most dramatic derby between these teams?

Bernier: This is, for Canadian soccer, in terms of club level, probably the biggest game ever, because both teams are in the conference final. It's going to be intense.

This year, we just kept meeting, and the games were even more intense every time because both teams want to show they're the best, and show they have progressed. Now we meet again, and in the conference finals. So it just seems like, as the two clubs progress, the scale of the games progresses also.

theScore: Montreal holds the playoff precedent after defeating Toronto FC in 2015. Does last year's victory matter, or is this clash a clean slate?

Bernier: Last year was last year. The way the season ended for us with Didier (Drogba) coming in, Mauro Biello becoming coach, things transpired where we were on a rollercoaster at that time and it was great, but this is 2016. Both teams have a lot more experience after what they lived in the last year. These two legs are going to show who wants it most.

theScore: This rivalry has been dubbed the '401 Derby'; thoughts on the name?

Bernier: When it comes to rivalries or derbies, everybody wants to make it even more intense, meaning that, like, we're connected from one highway (401) to another, but at the end of the day, it's really because it's Montreal vs. Toronto - the two cities.

If you're from Montreal, you somewhat dislike a bit of Toronto, and if you're from Toronto, you somewhat dislike a bit of Montreal - for all purposes, like sports, French-English, whatever. Now it's two clubs, in MLS, striving to become a successful franchise.

We've played against them four or five times a year, so after that, with the fans, with the ultras here and the supporters there, everybody wants to have bragging rights. It just amplifies what the rivalry's about.

theScore: By all indications, there will be a massive turnout in Montreal at Olympic Stadium; what are you hoping to see when you first step through the tunnel?

Bernier: Just seeing that stadium full of blue. "The Big O" is vibrant when it's full. Montreal is an event city - you can't lie, that's what we are - and Montreal and Toronto is an event. If you're a sports fans, a Montrealer, you're going to be there wanting to root for your city and your club.

As the captain of the team, to come out and see what it's going to be? Yeah. This is what I came back for, to play in these types of games. And to play against another Canadian rival? Even better.

This is what I, as a kid, wanted to play. This is what I grew up playing, Quebec vs. Ontario, Montreal vs. Toronto - I dreamed of playing these games. This is going to be great, and I'm expecting Montreal to be behind us fully and start off with a bang.

theScore: Do you anticipate the first leg being an open, flowing match or will it be a physical, cagey battle instead?

Bernier: I think most of the time, these games, both teams become intense and physical. It becomes about - not intimidation - but about not giving an inch to the other team, any space.

And there are two of the best players in this league - there's one on both side. You've got Ignacio Piatti on one side (Montreal) and Sebastian Giovinco on the other (Toronto). They're difference-makers. Each team knows their qualities. Toronto has changed its tactics toward the end of the season, going down with three defenders at the back, so I'm expecting it to be tight, to be intense, to be emotional and somewhat physical.

It'll be an in-your-face type of match.

theScore: Finally, you've had a long playing career - how does the buildup and hype for this match rank compared to other big matches in your personal career?

Bernier: Oh, it's up there. Of course, I've played against Galatasaray in Istanbul so that's a game that you never forget in a place that you never forget. Being from here, knowing soccer started at Saputo Stadium, to The Big O, to 60,000 people playing against Toronto, our rival.

This game is big. At this stage in my career too, you want to be involved with a club that is successful and is fighting for these types of games. So this is a game that is up there. I have some good, fond memories of 2015 and I'm hoping to have good, fond memories of 2016 also. It's going to be up there in terms of high-stakes games in my own backyard.