Montreal Impact advances to 2019 Canadian Championship Final 3:1 on aggregate over Cavalry FC

Montréal Impact FC booked their spot in the Canadian Championship Final with a 1:0 victory (3:1 on aggregate) over Cavalry FC on 14 August at Spruce Meadows in Calgary. The MLS side won the opening leg 2:1 at home in Montréal on 7 August. Montréal will face the defending champions Toronto FC in the Final with the first leg taking place on 18 September and the final leg on 25 September.

The Canadian Premier League team earned their place in the semi-final with a 2:1 upset over Vancouver Whitecaps, after victories against Forge FC in June and Pacific FC in May. Montreal entered the competition in Qualifying Round 3 and defeated York9 FC 3:2 on aggregate to advance to the semi-finals.

Montreal opened the scoring in the 13’ as Anthony Jackson-Hamel beat Cavalry defender Mason Trafford to the ball, heading it into the back of the net off the Saphir Taider corner.

Cavalry’s best opportunity of the match came in the 20’. Julian Buscher’s corner found an unmarked Dominick Zator. Montréal keeper Clement Diop reacted quickly and was able to push the header over the bar to preserve the Impact lead.

In the 64’, it was the Impact who came inches away from adding to their lead, as Lassi Lappalainen’s shot rolled just wide of the far post.

Montréal did well to weather the Cavalry FC attack throughout the match. The home side looked particularly dangerous when Nico Pasquotti launched long throw-ins into the penalty area on numerous occasions.

In the final minute of stoppage time, a Cavalry corner bounced around in the Montreal penalty area and eventually made its way to a wide open Jonathan Wheeldon but Diop was once again able to make a strong reaction save to preserve his clean sheet.

Montréal Impact FC’s Starting XI featured Clement Diop in net behind Jorge Corrales, Jukka Raitala, Rudy Camacho, Bacary Sagna in defence. captain Saphir Taider, Lassi Lappalainen, and Canadians Shamit Shome and Clement Bayiha formed the midfield for the visitors. Canadian Anthony Jackson-Hamel and Maxi Urruti rounded out the attack.

Montréal coach Remi Garde’s first change saw Ken Krolicki enter the match for Lappalainen. Jackson-Hamel was replaced by Orji Okwonkwo.

Cavalry FC’s starting XI was backstopped by Canadian goalkeeper Marco Carducci. Jonathan Wheeldon, Nathan Mavila, and Canadians Dominick Zator and Mason Trafford made up the defence for the home side. Canadian Mauro Eustaquio lined up alongside with Elijah Adekugbe and Julian Buscher in the centre of the field. Jose Escalante, Dominique Malonga and Canadian Nico Pasquotti combined up front.

Cavalry coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. made his first subsititution with half an hour remaining, bringing on Oliver Minatel for Adekugbe. Canadian Aribim Pepple came on for Mavila.