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Harjeet Johal ,

June 2, 2015 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - The semi-finals of the Amway Canadian Championship kicked off at BMO Field with Toronto FC taking on the Montreal Impact. Forever rivals, both teams looked to gain an upper-hand heading into the return leg next Wednesday in Montreal. However, one team was significantly overmatched and forgot to turn up. Toronto FC scored early and often in a convincing 4-2 win. Canadians, Jonathan Osorio and Jordan Hamilton each scored a brace in front to 22,143 spectators. Goal-poacher Jonathan Osorio was thrilled to score, but even more excited by his teams big win and the overall showing. "It's good to get back on the score sheet, it's been a while. I'm just glad I could help my team in that way, but more importantly I'm more happy for the win. It's a good win, it's a good advantage we have to take into Montreal." The late goals that Montreal scored will certainly give the Impact a greater chance to come away with the series victory. Osorio knows that his team slipped up at the end and the job is far from complete. "We weren't happy about the two goals, but at the same time if you told us that we could take a two-goal advantage to Montreal at the beginning of the game, we'd take it happily. We're not worried at all. We have to go over there and play a good defensive game." 20 year-old Jordan Hamilton was all smiles as his hard work and determination finally came through in a massive game. Hamilton has come along way and was able to take his opportunities vs Montreal and help his team to an important win. Going forward, Hamilton is showing terrific signs that he deserves a bigger role with Toronto FC and is capable of delivering. "My job is to score goals," admitted Hamilton. "That's a moment I've been dreaming about for three years now and luckily I got to do it twice in one night. It was just a surreal moment for me and I did my job and put the ball in the back of the net tonight." Full-back Steven Beitashour was happy with the result, but he knows there is still work to be done in the 2nd leg next week. "Yeah, it is a big win. They're a good team, I think we started off real well. I think we fell asleep a little bit at the end which is unfortunate because we gave up two away goals which is crucial in a two game series. Hopefully we'll go into their place and get a good result." At the other end of the pitch, Montreal's Mauro Biello was none to pleased with how flat, and lacklustre his team looked against Toronto. If not for goals from Salazar and Drogba in the final few minutes. Montreal would have a slim chance of advancing. "It's disappointing to come out that way," said Biello. "Toronto wanted it more, it seemed in the first half. We were second to everything, we were too casual in the back. It's not like they controlled or dominated us and kept us under pressure. They beat us to the ball, they put two crosses into the box. We were sleepy. In the end, I was happy we were able to comeback in the game because we scored to away goals. It gives us a boost going back home. Hopefully we can get the result we need back home." The Opening 45

Minus Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, and Will Johnson, Coach Grey Vanney put together a squad he felt could best represent Toronto FC vs a strong and competitive Montreal side. The Impact started in a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring Didier Drogba, Ignacio Piatti, Dominic Oduro, and Canadian skipper Patrice Bernier. It's a good thing matches are not played on paper, because Montreal should have done better. Toronto FC didn't have nearly the possession and skill level that Montreal had at their disposal, but Toronto FC showed up and converted quality chances. The often overlooked Canadian international, Jonathan Osorio opened the scoring for The Reds in the 13' minute. The Impact got caught napping and Ashtone Morgan delivered a cross into the Montreal box with ease. Osorio took a pair of clever touches inside of six yards. He was unmarked and had all sorts of time and space. His effort on goal was no match for goalkeeper Eric Kronberg. Toronto FC had the fans roaring and an early 1-0 lead. It only got worse for Montreal as shambolic defending showed up once again in the 34' minute. Mo Babouli sent in a cross from the right flank and Jonathan Osorio was in perfect position to double the Toronto lead. Hassoun Camara, and Wandrille Lefevre were slow to react to the developing play and Osorio bagged a brace to the delight of the crowd. Patrice Bernier put his team in a bad spot during first half stoppage time. Bernier went in for a two-footed slide tackle on Toronto FC midfielder Daniel Lovitz. Referee David Gantar quickly issued a straight red card and sent him packing. Lovitz was not injured as he got up and delivered a shove to Bernier. Both teams gathered for some pushing of shoving and a bit of nothing. If Montreal was going to get anything of out this match they would have to do so in the second half reduced to 10-man. Toronto was the better side and looked to be on their way with a 2-0 lead despite Montreal carrying possession advantage of 62% - 38%. Surely a red, but Lovitz is clowning with that reaction. "Ow, I'm dead... jk let's fight!" #TFC #canChamp pic.twitter.com/V0wIvpTT7p — Eric Giacometti (@Eric_Giacometti) June 2, 2016 Wonder where all the Mo Babouli haters are tonite? They appear to be awfully quiet right now #TFC #VoyageursCup — Mike McGuire (@McGuire_Mike) June 2, 2016

The Second Half

Mauro Biello made a substituion before the second half kicked off. Eric Alexander entered the match for Lucas Ontivero as Montreal looked for any type of spark that might help them turn the game around. Toronto FC came back running and gunning and Montreal's back-line was still completely overmatched. Benoit Cheyrou had an early curling shot that almost found the net and Daniel Lovitz was creating chance after chance in the Montreal box as well. It would be in the 60' minute that Toronto added another tally to the scoresheet. Toronto FC residency product, Jordan Hamilton made a couple of nice moves and left his defender in the dust before firing past a helpless Eric Kronberg. Cheyrou and Babouli did the work in finding Hamilton, but it was his speed and skill that was a challenge for the Impact defenders. Jordan Hamilton was just getting started as he scored again in the 80' minute. He took a sick first touch and hammered the ball top corner as Erin Kronberg was caught going the wrong way. Montreal was no match for Toronto, and playing down a man for the entire second half. Great to see Oso and Hamilton with the gorgeous goals. But those two conceded are an issue. I'm way more nervous for next week now. #TFC — Kristin Knowles (@kzknowles) June 2, 2016

As Montreal looked like they would lose 4-0 they somehow managed to score a pair of goals before the final whistle. Micheal Salazar was able to beat a Toronto FC offside trap in the 86' to score for the Impact. Didier Drogba then added a free kick strike past Clint Irwin in second half stoppage time. After doing nothing for 80 minutes, Montreal maybe have finally done enough to put them in position to go back home and earn a victory in the second leg of the semi-finals. Man of the Match



Jonathan Osorio

He's become a bit of a forgotten man with the Canadian Men's National Team, but Jonathan Osorio did his best job of showing Canada Head Coach Benito Floro just what his team could be missing. Osorio was clinical in front of goal and his first half brace helped set the tone for The Reds. Greg Vanney showed his confidence in Osorio and he was rewarded with a strong performance. Toronto FC is going to need consistency going forward with Giovinco and Altidore both on the mend. This could be a great opportunity for Osorio to deliver and prove to many people that he has the ability and will to step up big. Who was your TFC Man of the Match?

Toronto FC Starting XI: Clint Irwin; Steven Beitashour, Eric Zavaleta, Nick Hagglund, Ashtone Morgan; Daniel Lovitz 84 (Brian James), Marky Delgado, Benoit Cheyrou(C) 76 (Jay Chapman), Jonathan Osorio, Mo Babouli 82 (Malik Johnson); Jordan Hamilton. 4-5-1. Montreal Impact Starting XI: ric Kronberg; Jeremy Gagnon - Lapare 79 (Cameron Porter), Wendrille Lefevre, Hassoun Camara, Kyle Fisher; Patrice Bernier(C), Kyle Bekker; Ignacio Piatti, Lucas Ontivero 46 (Eric Alexander), Dominic Oduro 67 (Michael Salazar); Didier Drogba. 4-2-3-1