Skip to content

Montreal Impact deal Toronto FC rare home blow in 8-goal shocker

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Without its star players Wednesday, Toronto FC looked like anything but a team on a record-breaking pace.

An eventful 5-3 defeat to bitter rival Montreal Impact condemned TFC to its first loss at home this season.

TFC still has an excellent opportunity to win the Supporters' Shield with four matches remaining and an 11-point advantage over nearest Eastern Conference challenger New York City FC.

But Wednesday evening served as a sobering reminder that nothing in Major League Soccer can be taken for granted.

The Impact stormed to a shocking 3-0 lead in the opening half-hour. To set the tone for a bizarre 90 minutes, TFC goalkeeper Alex Bono smacked a poor clearance attempt off Ignacio Piatti's back and into his own net. Marco Donadel doubled the score with a rocket from long range, and Piatti added to the host's misery with a wonderful curling effort.

Jonathan Osorio's redirected effort reduced the deficit, but just after the interval, Anthony Jackson-Hamel's pair of opportunistic strikes made it 5-1.

Even though Tosaint Ricketts nodded in goals in the 77th and 79th minutes, a comeback was never going to happen.

Head coach Greg Vanney couldn't find any solutions without Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, or Victor Vazquez on the pitch. Giovinco and Altidore missed the contest through injury, while Vazquez sat out with the flu.

The Impact, seventh in the East, took the opportunity to boost their own faint playoff hopes.

Seven points away from setting the MLS points record, Toronto will continue its quest for glory Saturday against the flailing New England Revolution.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox