Weekend action previews Championship matchups

Montréal against Toronto used to be a regular head-to-head series in the old Connaught Cup Series, both before and after the Second World War, either in the first round or Eastern final before the National Championships final. 

Skip ahead to 2016, this June will mark the fourth time in five years that the two cities will meet in the semi-final round of the Amway Canadian Championship, the modern-day road to the national final. Toronto were winners in 2012, while Montréal were semi-final winners in 2013 and 2015, as well as national winners against Toronto in 2014.

This 1 and 8 June, the two sides will meet again in the semi-final round of the Amway Canadian Championship, a cup series that gets a “league” preview on Saturday 23 April in Major League Soccer action. It is one of two Amway Canadian Championship previews this weekend, with FC Edmonton hosting Ottawa Fury FC on Sunday 24 April in North American Soccer League action.

This year marks the third head-to-head Championship series between Edmonton and Ottawa, with Edmonton winning in 2014 and 2015. The winner advances to the semi-final to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC; then that winner advances to the 2016 Grand Final to face either Montréal or Toronto.

Since 2008, Toronto has led the head-to-head series against Montréal in the Amway Canadian Championship, although Montréal has come away with the most series wins. In 14 matches, Toronto has eight wins, three draws and three losses. Every one of those Montréal victories, however, eliminated Toronto from cup competition.

In Major League Soccer, Toronto also leads the all-time head-to-head series, with five wins, three draws, and three losses in 11 matches since 2012. In Major League Soccer playoffs, however, Montréal won the only head-to-head meeting, also eliminating Toronto FC from the 2015 playoffs.

In 2016, Toronto and Montréal will meet each other three times in MLS action (including 27 August and 16 October), as well as twice in the Amway Canadian Championship. That rivalry, one of the oldest in Canadian soccer, continues what hopes to be another big year for both clubs.

MONTRÉAL v TORONTO in 2016
Saturday 23 April 2016 – Major League Soccer – TSN1, TSN4, RDS
Wednesday 1 June 2016 – Amway Canadian Championship – TSN
Wednesday 8 June 2016 – Amway Canadian Championship – TSN
Saturday 27 August 2016 – Major League Soccer – TSN
Sunday 16 October 2016 – Major League Soccer – TSN2