Toronto FC (5-1) CF Montreal | The Canadian Classic Turns Red and White

With a rather uneven history in recent years, this classic arrived without a clear favorite, even though CF Montreal had won the last few matches between these two teams.

The visitors did not come into this MLS matchday in their best form, while TFC has been having a relatively positive season compared to previous years in MLS.

A Kick Off for TFC Full of Hopes for the Classic

The match began with the best possible lineup for TFC, featuring the return of Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi to the starting lineup after nearly two months without starting together in an MLS match.

The intensity shown by Toronto FC at the start of the match was a result of John Herdman's strategy, who knew that this classic had to be a victory for TFC.

The Outstanding Match Toronto FC Experienced

The match began with a flurry of goals, as in the first half, Toronto FC managed to score 3 goals in less than 20 minutes. Longstaff, Bernardeschi, and Prince Owusu were the scorers in the first 45 minutes of play, going into halftime with a 3-0 lead.

At that moment, the match for TFC had been practically perfect in every line of play, showcasing a level of quality on the field not seen in a long time. Playing out from the back, starting with triangles between the goalkeeper, central defenders, and wing-backs, the game was lethal down the flanks thanks to the offensive prowess of Bernardeschi and Insigne.

In the second half, the pace didn't slow down, and TFC kept pushing for more goals. Federico Bernardeschi scored in the 58th and 59th minutes, achieving his first hat-trick of the season. The visitors managed to pull one back with a goal by Sunusi Ibrahim in the 67th minute, ending the match with a 5-1 victory for Toronto FC.

This victory for Toronto FC is one of the most important not only of the season but also in the history of the Canadian classic, as The Reds had not beaten CF Montreal since August 24, 2019.

TFC is now in fourth place after the thrashing of CF Montreal, positioned in the Eastern Conference with 22 points from 14 matches. Now, the team must focus on securing their spot in the semifinals of the Canadian Championship on May 21, where they face the return leg against Saint-Laurent.