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The rivalry was a natural when Montreal joined MLS in 2012 (Toronto had already been there since 2007), but it only really took hold when they started facing each other in playoff games. TFC’s first-ever post-season game was a lacklustre 3-0 loss in a first round knockout game in Montreal in 2015.

Last season, it went through the roof as the Impact won the opening match of the two-legged conference final 3-2 before 61,004 at Olympic Stadium only to lose 5-2 in the return match before a sellout 36,000 at BMO Field, with TFC scoring two goals in extra time in the highest-scoring MLS playoff series ever.

Toronto lost the MLS Cup final to Seattle on penalties, but Greg Vanney’s squad is back with a vengeance this season, leading MLS with a 9-2-5 record. Montreal was slow off the mark but has levelled its record at 4-4-6 and is 2-0-2 in its last four.

“I like that rivalry aspect, I like that it’s a little bit unfriendly,” said Vanney. “It becomes you and your team, and us against them.

“And I think that’s what it should be about. That’s why these rivalries are so special. So I’m not discouraged in any way about having to go there and play a game.”

The return leg is June 27 in Toronto.

At stake is the Voyageurs Cup, which Montreal won seven times before joining MLS and twice after. Toronto won five times, including last year. There are also bragging rights, which may be as big a factor as skill or tactics in this matchup.

“I don’t really say hate but I know that my focus and attention when the name TFC pops up is very high,” said Bernier.