Toronto FC: 3 storylines to follow versus the Montreal Impact

3) Leading from the back

TFC are quietly starting to put together an impressive season in defence. They have now recorded four consecutive clean sheets in league play and five in eight league games overall this year.

Once more, you imagine critics will point to the opponents faced so far in 2020. Regardless, it’s tough to look past just seven league goals allowed, which is good enough for fifth-fewest in all of MLS.

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The reality is head coach Greg Vanney has preached a renewed emphasis on defence and the team has bought into it. This has especially been important, when considering the inconsistency in attack at certain times.

Montreal Impact fans may well argue the Reds were lucky to win on Friday night, with the only goal of the game coming via the penalty spot. However, even without that goal the visitors still would have still come away with at least a point, thanks to the solid play of their backline.

TFC will need another strong defensive outing on Tuesday night, as the Impact will be motivated to beat then. Apart from the fact Montreal would love to be the team to end their rival’s unbeaten run, they also need a positive result to remain in contention for a place in the Canadian Championship Final.

Toronto wouldn’t officially clinch a place in the final with a win, but realistically it would be over for  Montreal. As if this wasn’t enough motivation for the Impact, they have also lost their last four games versus TFC.

If the Impact are to gain a positive result at BMO Field, they will need to do a better job with possession. As per Dylan Butler of Mlssoccer.com, head coach Thierry Henry said:

"“Toronto kept the ball at the beginning and didn’t give us the ball back cheaply. [Alejandro] Pozuelo, [Pablo] Piatti – guys like that in the middle. [Marky] Delgado with Bradley – they know how to manage the ball and so it became difficult for us to get it back. Once you don’t get it back, you can’t obviously impose your style and so it became difficult.”"

Are there any other storylines you will be following during Tuesday’s night’s game between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact? Regardless, what is your prediction for the final outcome, and why? Let us know in the comments section below.