In 12 previous years of Voyageurs Cup history only two clubs have managed to lift the trophy. 2014 will not add a new name to that list as, for the 13th time, it will either be the words “Montreal Impact” or “Toronto FC” engraved on the cup after next Wednesday’s second leg.
Considering they’ve been the only clubs to win it since its inception, it’s remarkable that this year will only be the second time that the Impact and TFC truly face-off head-to-head to determine the champion.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] The Vancouver Whitecaps’ ability to remain the perpetual bridesmaids of Canadian professional soccer has meant that they’ve finished in either second place, or as losing finalists, each of the last five seasons.
It was only in 2008, the first year the trophy was awarded to the winner of the Canadian Championship and the first year that Toronto FC competed, that the tournament boiled down to a contest between the Reds and Impact. That evening is not a happy memory for Toronto supporters as the 1-1 draw at BMO Field in the final match of the tournament was enough to allow Montreal to hold off TFC and hold-on to the Voyageurs Cup for the 7th time in succession.
Now the Impact return to BMO Field as reigning champions for the first time since 2008. Toronto supporters looking at the Impact’s lone win (and 22 Goals Against) in league play to date have legitimate reason to feel optimistic but, if history is any guide, should be wary of assuming league form has much to do with success in the Voyageurs Cup. Toronto FC themselves had a regular habit of winning the Canadian title while basically eliminating any chance of success in their MLS campaign before the start of summer. Most famously, in 2012, a Reds team that wouldn’t win in the league until its 10th game of the season knocked out a primed looking Impact side in the semifinals who had just come off a confidence instilling victory in Kansas City.
Arguably, it may even be an advantage for the Impact, and good for the tournament, for their leadership to know that the Canadian Championship, and the subsequent possibility of CONCACAF Champions League play, represents their most likely chance at success in 2014. While TFC has league games on the weekend after both legs of the final, the Impact have a week off after the second leg and little reason to rest starters.
While Marco Di Vaio usually gets all the headlines it was Jack McInerny who got the goals in Montreal that, for a while, seemed to be enough to see the Impact through until referee Drew Fischer’s bizarre penalty decisions ultimately decided the tie. One would expect the young American to be a more or less automatic first choice to start up top. The inclusion of Patrice Bernier and Justin Mapp would also seem essential to any attacking intent from the Impact even if Di Vaio is kept in reserve for the second leg.
For Toronto, the emerging debate over the inclusion of Luke Moore in preference to Gilberto may be put on-hold until at least the weekend due to the suggestion that Moore has picked up a slight injury. Captain Steven Caldwell is almost certain to see the field as well as his red card in Kansas City means that he won’t be available for the weekend match versus Columbus.
TFC players have been asserting quite strenuously that this is a match they’re taking seriously and don’t intend to give anything less than full commitment to. It’s another benefit of the having a first ever Toronto versus Montreal final since the tournament moved to a knockout format: regardless of whatever extra burdens these matches add there is now the element of rivalry added to the mix.
The Voyageurs Cup is a trophy short on history and even shorter on teams but, so often, full of controversy and drama. This year, there’s every chance the final will add another memorable chapter.