Montreal Impact 0, Toronto FC 2 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Toronto FC recorded their third road win of the season in Week 19, riding second-half strikes from Alejandro Pozuelo and Jozy Altidore to a 2-0 win over Canadian rivals Montreal Impact.

Pozuelo logged his eighth goal of the year in the 61st minute, capitalizing on a midfielder turnover by Montreal's Micheal Azira. His right-footed curler came after driving at the Impact’s defense entirely unchallenged, leaving Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush with little chance.

Come the 65th minute, lightning storms rolled past Stade Saputo, prompting a 26-minute weather delay. Once the teams returned to the pitch, the match tilted in Montreal’s favor, though Toronto goalkeeper Quentin Westberg finished with four saves, including a 93rd-minute stunner on Maxi Urruti at the near post.

As Toronto absorbed pressure, they nearly found an insurance strike in the 86th minute, though Bush came out well to deny a Justin Morrow breakaway. The rebound bounced out to Tsubasa Endoh, whose right-footed strike was cleared off the line by Montreal defender Jukka Raitala.

The lead was ultimately doubled in the 95th minute on an Altidore free kick gem. His strike rattled off the post and in, giving him six goals on the season.

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Goals

• 61' – TOR – Alejandro Pozuelo | WATCH
• 90+5' – TOR – Jozy Altidore | WATCH

Three Things

BIG PICTURE:
 Montreal lost their third straight game, and this one stung as it came at Stade Saputo against their biggest rivals. As for the Reds, they were boosted by the return of US national teamers Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, plus
Omar Gonzalez
had a quality debut. The post-game emotions were polar opposites, to put it lightly. 

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Altidore’s free kick from 25 yards out gets the nod here, and not just for the quality of the strike. The US men’s national team forward directed his celebration at Montreal’s fans, adding some spice to the rivalry. This was Altidore's first game back since featuring for the USMNT at the Concacaf Gold Cup.

MAN OF THE MATCH: 
Gonzalez made his Toronto debut and immediately stepped in as the Reds’ leader on the backline. The USMNT defender complemented fellow center back
Chris Mavinga
quite well, then marshaled a five-man back line when
Eriq Zavaleta
was brought on to preserve the result. 

Next Up

• MTL: Saturday, July 20 at Columbus Crew SC (7:30 pm ET | TVAS, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US)
• TOR: Wednesday, July 17 vs. New York Red Bulls (8 pm ET | TSN 4/5, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US)