MONTREAL IMPACT vs. TORONTO FC

2016 Eastern Conference Championship – Leg 1

Olympic Stadium | Montreal, Quebec

Tuesday, Nov. 22

8 pm ET (ESPN, WatchESPN in the US | RDS, TSN1/3 in Canada)

The Lowdown:

One of North American sports’ fiercest rivalries will rise to a new level as the Eastern Conference's Canadian clubs square off with a trip to the MLS Cup at stake.

Both teams are in uncharted territory. Toronto had never before won a playoff game before this year, and Montreal had never reached the Eastern Conference Championship. But the two teams are quite familiar with playing each other with the season on the line: the Impact eliminated Toronto in the Knockout Round of the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Must-Read:

Montreal Impact Snapshot:

2016 Regular Season Finish : East No. 5 seed (11-11-12 record, 45 pts / 7-5-5 home record)

: East No. 5 seed (11-11-12 record, 45 pts / 7-5-5 home record) Current Form : D-L-W-W-W

: D-L-W-W-W Strengths : Despite an up-and-down regular season, the Impact have gotten hot at the right time. Now playing with house money, they’ll have a chance to ride a unique home-field advantage at Olympic Stadium — site of many dramatic moments on their run to the 2015 CONCACAF Champions League final — to an early aggregate lead over favored Toronto.

: Despite an up-and-down regular season, the Impact have gotten hot at the right time. Now playing with house money, they’ll have a chance to ride a unique home-field advantage at Olympic Stadium — site of many dramatic moments on their run to the 2015 CONCACAF Champions League final — to an early aggregate lead over favored Toronto. Weaknesses : Although the drama surrounding Didier Drogba appeared to end when he made his first appearance in more than a month in their huge 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls on Nov. 6, questions remain as to how much he’ll play in the Eastern Conference Championship and how effective he’ll be coming off the bench.

: Although the drama surrounding Didier Drogba appeared to end when he made his first appearance in more than a month in their huge 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls on Nov. 6, questions remain as to how much he’ll play in the Eastern Conference Championship and how effective he’ll be coming off the bench. Injuries/Suspensions : Andres Romero (ACL) – out.

: Andres Romero (ACL) – out. Player to Watch : Ignacio Piatti: The star playmaker was at his best with two goals in Montreal’s Eastern Conference Semifinal triumph, causing his coach and teammates to question how he wasn’t an MLS MVP finalist. He’ll need to be at his best again in a matchup with several other of the league’s marquee players.

: Ignacio Piatti: The star playmaker was at his best with two goals in Montreal’s Eastern Conference Semifinal triumph, causing his coach and teammates to question how he wasn’t an MLS MVP finalist. He’ll need to be at his best again in a matchup with several other of the league’s marquee players. Probable Starting XI: Evan Bush; Hassoun Camara, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Ambroise Oyongo; Hernan Bernardello, Patrice Bernier, Marco Donadel; Dominic Oduro, Matteo Mancosu, Ignacio Piatti

Toronto FC Snapshot:

2016 Regular Season Finish : East No. 3 seed (14-9-11 record, 53 pts / 8-3-6 home record)

: East No. 3 seed (14-9-11 record, 53 pts / 8-3-6 home record) Current Form : D-W-W-W-W

: D-W-W-W-W Strengths : It’s all coming together for Toronto, who got the monkey off their back with their first-ever playoff win — in the Knockout Round vs. Philadelphia — before steamrolling New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 7-0 aggregate win. When Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley are all at their best — as they have been of late — no one in the league is touching that trio.

: It’s all coming together for Toronto, who got the monkey off their back with their first-ever playoff win — in the Knockout Round vs. Philadelphia — before steamrolling New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a 7-0 aggregate win. When Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley are all at their best — as they have been of late — no one in the league is touching that trio. Weaknesses : Before getting hot in the playoffs, Toronto limped to the finish line, winning just once in their final six games as Giovinco dealt with an injury. Another injury to a key player could similarly derail their momentum.

: Before getting hot in the playoffs, Toronto limped to the finish line, winning just once in their final six games as Giovinco dealt with an injury. Another injury to a key player could similarly derail their momentum. Injuries/Suspensions : QUESTIONABLE: D - Ashtone Morgan (stress fracture in foot)

: QUESTIONABLE: D - Ashtone Morgan (stress fracture in foot) Player to Watch : Sebastian Giovinco: How has the Italian star been enjoying the playoffs? Oh, you know, just your average four goals in three games, including a hat trick in Toronto’s 5-0 rout of NYCFC to clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference Championship. Anyone doubt he’s got a couple more goals left in him?

: Sebastian Giovinco: How has the Italian star been enjoying the playoffs? Oh, you know, just your average four goals in three games, including a hat trick in Toronto’s 5-0 rout of NYCFC to clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference Championship. Anyone doubt he’s got a couple more goals left in him? Probable Starting XI: Clint Irwin; Nick Hagglund, Drew Moor, Eriq Zavaleta; Justin Morrow, Jonathan Osorio, Michael Bradley, Armando Cooper, Steven Beitashour; Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore

Match Essentials:

Referee: Juan Guzman

Assistant Referees: Eduardo Mariscal (AR1), Matthew Nelson (AR2)

4th Official: Armando Villarreal

Toronto vs. Montreal Head-to-Head

All-Time (14 meetings):

Toronto 6 wins, 22 goals • Montreal 4 wins, 15 goals • Ties 4

All-Time Playoff (1 Meeting):

Toronto 0 wins, 0 goals • Montreal 1 wins, 3 goals

All-Time in Montreal (7 meetings):

Toronto 3 wins, 12 goals • Montreal 3 wins, 8 goals • Ties 1

2016 Meetings (3 meetings):

TOR 2, MTL 0 (April 23); MTL 1, TOR 0 (Aug. 27); MTL 2, TOR 2 (Oct. 16)