Canadian Classique

The Canadian Classique,[1][2][3][4][5] also known as the 401 Derby and the Two Solitudes Derby, is a soccer rivalry between Canadian clubs, Toronto FC and CF Montréal (formerly the Montreal Impact).[6][7][8] The rivalry gets the "401" nickname from Ontario Highway 401, which forms most of the standard driving route between the two cities (with the remainder being Quebec Autoroute 20),[9] as well as the Two Solitudes book and cultural phenomenon.[10] It is a tense rivalry,[11] stemming from other sporting rivalries between Toronto and Montreal.

Canadian Classique

CF Montréal Toronto FC
Other names	401 Derby, Two Solitudes Derby
Locale	Central Canada
First meeting	Montreal Impact 0–1 Toronto FC Canadian Championship (May 27, 2008)
Latest meeting	Montreal Impact 1–2 Toronto FC Major League Soccer (September 9, 2020)
Stadiums	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec
Statistics
Meetings total	50
Most wins	Toronto FC
Top scorer	Jozy Altidore (12)
All-time series	Toronto FC: 26 Draw: 10 CF Montréal: 14
Largest victory	Montreal Impact 6–0 Toronto FC Canadian Championship (May 1, 2013)
BMO Field Saputo Stadium Stadiums within Canada

History

Early history

The first professional soccer clubs to be played in either Toronto or Montreal were the Toronto Metros and Montreal Olympique, who both began play in 1971. The two teams played infrequently due to consistent relocation and expansion/contraction in the old North American Soccer League. Throughout the 1980s, different teams from both respective metropolises formed and folded, rarely aligned with one another at the same season.

In 1992, the original Montreal Impact side formed by the Saputo family, following the demise of Montreal Supra and its league (the Canadian Soccer League). They became a dominant club in the American Professional Soccer League (1993–1996) and the A-League (1997–2003), renamed the USL First Division (2004). The team did not compete during the 1999 A-League season. Their main rivals were the Rochester Rhinos and the Toronto Lynx prior to the latter's move to the USL Premier Development League.

Pre-MLS era

The modern day rivalry involving Toronto FC came into fruition during the first ever Canadian Championship, Canada's domestic cup competition that was formed in 2008. The tournament is used as well to determine Canada's sole berth into the CONCACAF Champions League. It was the 2008 edition of the tournament where Montreal and Toronto played their first competitive game against one another. Played on May 27, 2008, Toronto emerged victorious 1–0 over thanks to a Marco Vélez goal in the 72nd minute in front of a crowd of 12,303 at Saputo Stadium.[12] Toronto, being the lone MLS team in the tournament, despite being an expansion franchise, was expected to ultimately win the tournament. Ultimately, though, the Impact ended up winning the three-way tournament, against Toronto and Vancouver Whitecaps, achieving the first Canadian Championship after posting a 2–1–1 record. The title was clinched by Montreal against Toronto on Toronto's home ground, BMO Field. The 1–1 draw which gave Montreal the title on Toronto's home soil further fueled the rivalry. By winning that title, Montreal earned a berth into the 2008–09 CONCACAF Champions League where they reached the quarterfinals.

Toronto got revenge on the Montreal at the following Canadian Championship by scoring six unanswered goals in a come-from-behind 6–1 win at Saputo Stadium. Toronto captain, Dwayne De Rosario netted a hat trick in the match. The match also secured Toronto's place in the 2009–10 CONCACAF Champions League, where they were eliminated in the preliminary round of the tournament. The Reds continued their reign of dominance in the 2010 edition of the Canadian Championship, beating Montreal in both the home and away legs of the competition, tallying an aggregate score of 3–0 during that time. With the arrival of FC Edmonton, the 2011 edition of the competition did not see the Impact and Reds meet each other.

MLS era

It was around this time that it was announced that the Impact would be "promoted" to Major League Soccer at the start of the 2012. The announcement officially came from MLS commissioner, Don Garber and the Saputo family on May 7, 2010.[13] On June 14, 2011, the Montreal Impact announced a five-year agreement with the Bank of Montreal to become their lead sponsor and jersey sponsor in MLS, the same kit sponsor of Toronto.[14]

Montreal and Toronto played their first MLS competition on April 7, 2012.[15] Played in front of a crowd of 24,000 at Olympic Stadium, the Impact emerged victorious, 2–1, over the Reds. Bosnian Siniša Ubiparipović netted the opening goal of the derby in MLS competitions, scoring for Montreal in the 18th minute. Andrew Wenger, the first pick of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, netted in the 81st minute to give the Impact the game-winning goal. Dutch international Danny Koevermans netted a consolation goal for Toronto in the 88th minute.

In 2013, the Reds and Impact split the series 1–1–1. A crowd of 38,000 was on hand to watch the first match of the 2013 series, where Montreal won 2–1. Additionally, in 2013, the Impact won their first Canadian Championship since joining MLS. During their 2013 Canadian Championship run, the Impact defeated Toronto by a 6–0 scoreline, to date, the largest margin of victory in the derby history.[16]

On April 24, 2013, Justin Braun became the first player to play for both sides of the derby, after he was traded from Montreal to Toronto over the winter break. Collen Warner repeated the feat in 2014 after being traded to Toronto for Issey Nakajima-Farran, who had never played against Montreal before the exchange. Dominic Oduro (2015) and Kyle Bekker (2016) later joined the turncoat club, both playing for Toronto before Montreal. Canadian goalkeeper Greg Sutton played for both the NASL edition of the Montreal Impact and for Toronto FC, but only ever played for the Reds in derby matches. No player has ever scored a goal for both teams in derby matches.

October 29, 2015 was the first time that the teams met in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The match at Saputo Stadium ended 3–0 in favour of the Impact.[17] It also marked Toronto's first appearance in the playoffs in their history,[18] and Montreal's second-ever playoff game. The two teams faced off again for the second consecutive time in the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs in two games as both Toronto and Montreal defeated New York City FC and New York Red Bulls respectively, making the rivalry part of the Eastern Conference Finals. Montreal won the first leg of the Conference Championship, 3–2 at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal on November 22. Toronto later beat Montreal 5–2 in extra time in the return leg at BMO Field in Toronto on November 30, winning on an aggregated score of 7–5, making Toronto FC the first Canadian team to compete in an MLS Cup Final.[19]

Supporters

The U-Sector and Red Patch Boys supporters at a Toronto FC home fixture.

Off the field, there is intense rivalry between the supporters groups of Toronto and Montreal. Toronto's prominent supporters' groups are U-Sector and Red Patch Boys.[20] In addition to Toronto FC; the U-Sector also support the Canadian national team, and the TFC Academy teams. Additionally, the club is supported by several other supporter's groups including Original 109 who sit in Section 109 of BMO Field, SG114 who sit in Section 114, and the Tribal Rhythm Nation who represent the African, Caribbean and Latin American communities in the Greater Toronto Area.

The largest, and oldest supporters group for Montreal is Ultras Montréal, who are also known as UM02, for the year the supporters club was founded (2002). Additionally, Montreal are supported by 127 Montréal. 127 Montréal formed in 2011, around the time the Montreal Impact were in transition from NASL to MLS. In 2011, the Montreal Impact Supporters Association was created to better facilitate the relations between the Club and the Supporters Groups, to promote the supporters culture, and to help with the financing of different supporter group initiatives. Moreover, Montreal is supported by 1642 Montreal, for the year of the foundation of Montreal. 1642 Montreal is known to ring a bell of 0.8 ton to celebrate any goal scored by the team.

Stadium

Saputo Stadium is the home ground for CF Montréal.

Both Toronto and Montreal play in soccer-specific stadiums and have been doing so for their entire existence. BMO Field is Toronto FC's home stadium, while Saputo Stadium serves as home ground for CF Montréal. For marquee matchups, such as games against acclaimed opponents, rivals, or Champions League fixtures, as well as winter-time matches, both teams sometimes play in larger, indoor stadiums in their respective region. Toronto FC have played several games at Rogers Centre while CF Montréal have played their share of games at Olympic Stadium, which is within walking distance of Saputo Stadium.

Toronto's BMO Field is located in Exhibition Place of the city, near the banks of Lake Ontario. Saputo Stadium is located along the border of Montreal's Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie district and Parc Olympique district. BMO Field currently sits 30,991 (21,566 before May 2015) while Saputo Stadium currently seats 20,521.

Results

  Toronto wins   Draw   Montreal wins

Competition	Date	Home team	Result	Away team	Venue	Attendance	Recap
2008 Canadian Championship	May 27, 2008	Montreal	0–1	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	12,083
	July 22, 2008	Toronto	1–1	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	19,872
2009 Canadian Championship	May 13, 2009	Toronto	1–0	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	19,811
	June 18, 2009	Montreal	1–6	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	11,561
2010 Canadian Championship	April 28, 2010	Toronto	2–0	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	21,436
	May 12, 2010	Montreal	0–1	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	10,737
2012 Major League Soccer season	April 7, 2012	Montreal	2–1	Toronto	Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	23,120
2012 Canadian Championship	May 2, 2012	Montreal	0–0	Toronto	Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	13,405
	May 9, 2012	Toronto	2–0	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	15,016
2012 Major League Soccer season	June 27, 2012	Montreal	0–3	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	14,412
	October 20, 2012	Toronto	0–0	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	16,151
2013 Major League Soccer season	March 16, 2013	Montreal	2–1	Toronto	Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	37,896
2013 Canadian Championship	April 24, 2013	Toronto	2–0	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	11,043
	May 1, 2013	Montreal	6–0	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	14,931
2013 Major League Soccer season	July 3, 2013	Toronto	3–3	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	21,700
	October 26, 2013	Toronto	1–0	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	13,211
2014 Canadian Championship	May 28, 2014	Toronto	1–1	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	18,269
	June 4, 2014	Montreal	1–0	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	13,423
2014 Major League Soccer season	August 2, 2014	Montreal	0–2	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	16,655
	October 18, 2014	Toronto	1–1	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	15,242
2015 Canadian Championship	May 6, 2015	Montreal	1–0	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	12,518
	May 13, 2015	Toronto	3–2	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	21,069
2015 Major League Soccer season	June 24, 2015	Toronto	3–1	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	24,895
	August 29, 2015	Toronto	2–1	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	30,266
	October 25, 2015	Montreal	2–1	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	20,801
2015 MLS Cup Playoffs	October 29, 2015	Montreal	3–0	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	18,069
Suncoast Invitational	February 24, 2016	Toronto[lower-alpha 1]	1–1	Montreal	Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, Clearwater, Florida
2016 Major League Soccer season	April 23, 2016	Montreal	0–2	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	20,801
2016 Canadian Championship	June 1, 2016	Toronto	4–2	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	22,143
	June 8, 2016	Montreal	0–0	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	18,964
2016 Major League Soccer season	August 27, 2016	Toronto	0–1	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	28,454
	October 16, 2016	Montreal	2–2	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	20,801
2016 MLS Cup Playoffs	November 22, 2016	Montreal	3–2	Toronto	Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	61,004
	November 30, 2016	Toronto	5–2[lower-alpha 2]	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	36,000
2017 Canadian Championship	June 21, 2017	Montreal	1–1	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	14,329
	June 27, 2017	Toronto	2–1	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	26,539
2017 Major League Soccer season	August 27, 2017	Montreal	1–3	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	20,801
	September 20, 2017	Toronto	3–5	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	28,898
	October 15, 2017	Toronto	1–0	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	27,866
2018 Major League Soccer season	March 17, 2018	Montreal	1–0	Toronto	Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	26,005
	August 25, 2018	Toronto	3–1	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	27,294
	October 21, 2018	Montreal	2–0	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	19,684
2019 Major League Soccer season	July 13, 2019	Montreal	0–2	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	19,619
	August 24, 2019	Toronto	2–1	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	28,989
2019 Canadian Championship Final	September 18, 2019	Montreal	1–0	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	10,807
	September 25, 2019	Toronto	1–0[lower-alpha 3]	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	21,365
MLS is Back Tournament	July 16, 2020	Montreal[lower-alpha 4]	3–4	Toronto	ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Bay Lake, Florida	0
2020 Major League Soccer season[lower-alpha 5]	August 28, 2020	Montreal	0–1	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	250
	September 1, 2020	Toronto	0–1	Montreal	BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario	0
	September 9, 2020	Montreal	1–2	Toronto	Saputo Stadium, Montreal, Quebec	250

1. Toronto was declared the 'home team', but this match was played at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Florida
2. Toronto FC won 5–2 after extra time (7–5 on aggregate) to advance to the MLS Cup Final
3. Montreal Impact won 3–1 on penalties (1–1 on aggregate) to win the Canadian Championship
4. Montreal was declared the 'home team', but this match was played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Bay Lake, Florida
5. Matches were also used as qualifiers for the 2020 Canadian Championship

Statistics

For statistical purposes, this table includes the NASL edition of the Montreal Impact.

As of September 9, 2020

Competitions	Matches	Wins		Draws	Goals
		MTL	TOR		MTL	TOR
Major League Soccer	25	8	13	4	28	39
MLS Cup Playoffs	3	2	1	0	8	7
Canadian Championship	20	4	11	5	18	28
MLS is Back Tournament	1	0	1	0	3	4
All competitions	49	14	26	9	57	78
Friendly/other	1	0	0	1	1	1
All matches	50	14	26	10	58	79

Records

Most goals in a match

• 8 goals on September 20, 2017
  Toronto 3–5 Montreal
• 7 goals on June 18, 2009
  Montreal 1–6 Toronto
• 7 goals on November 30, 2016
  Toronto 5–2 Montreal
• 7 goals on July 16, 2020
  Montreal 3–4 Toronto

Margin of victory

Montreal:

• Montreal 6–0 Toronto on May 1, 2013
• Montreal 3–0 Toronto on October 29, 2015

Toronto:

• Montreal 1–6 Toronto on June 18, 2009
• Montreal 0–3 Toronto on June 27, 2012
• Toronto 5–2 Montreal on November 30, 2016

Most consecutive wins

Toronto FC: 4

Top goalscorers

As of September 9, 2020

Jozy Altidore's dozen goals for Toronto FC make him the series' top goalscorer

Pos	Name	Club	Nationality	Goals
1	Jozy Altidore	Toronto FC	United States	12
2	Ignacio Piatti	Montreal Impact	Argentina	11
3	Sebastian Giovinco	Toronto FC	Italy	10
4	Dominic Oduro	Montreal Impact	Ghana	5
		Toronto FC
5	Dwayne De Rosario	Toronto FC	Canada	4
	Marco Di Vaio	Montreal Impact	Italy
	Didier Drogba	Montreal Impact	Ivory Coast
	Tosaint Ricketts	Toronto FC	Canada
9	Ayo Akinola	Toronto FC	United States	3
	Chad Barrett	Toronto FC	United States
	Jordan Hamilton	Toronto FC	Canada
12	15 players			2

Players in bold are still active players with the team.

Players who played for both clubs

Toronto, then Montreal

• Kyle Bekker
• Raheem Edwards
• Daniel Lovitz
• Issey Nakajima-Farran
• Dominic Oduro
• Maxi Urruti

Montreal, then Toronto

• Justin Braun
• Adam Braz
• Laurent Ciman
• Ali Gerba
• Greg Sutton
• Collen Warner

See also

• 905 Derby
• Pearson Cup
• Miracle in Montreal
• Canadiens–Maple Leafs rivalry

References

1. Wiebe, Andrew. "Wiebe: Six MLS narratives to root for during the weekend's rivalry action". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
2. "Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
3. "TFC's Sebastian Giovinco continues to torment Impact in Canadian Classique". Major League Soccer. August 25, 2018.
4. "Quote-unquote: the Canadian Classique". Montreal Impact. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
5. Molinaro, John (August 25, 2018). "Giovinco nets brace, Toronto FC tops rival Impact in Canadian Classique". Sportsnet.
6. Hylton, Kamal (March 18, 2013). "TFC Dropped by Impact in 401 Derby Clash". Soccer NewsDay. SoccerNewsDay.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
7. "The 401 Derby, Round 1 – Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact: The Storystream". Walkingthered.com.
8. Palmitesta, Luis (April 7, 2012). "401 Derby – Montreal vs Toronto – Impact needs small tweaks". Global Football Today. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
9. Borg, Simon. "Circle your calendars: 2014 MLS Canadian rivalry matches that will be showcased on national TV". Retrieved April 25, 2014.
10. Bay, Brandon (April 20, 2016). "Two Solitudes Derby: A History". Retrieved April 21, 2016.
11. Borg, Simon. "Circle your calendars: 2014 MLS Canadian rivalry matches that will be showcased on national TV". Retrieved April 25, 2014.
12. Basu, Arpon (May 27, 2008). "Velez gives Toronto FC 1–0 win over Impact". Toronto Star. TheStar.com. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
13. Freedman, Jonah (May 7, 2010). ""Passionate" Montreal named as 19th MLS city". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
15. "Montreal 2–1 Toronto". MLSSoccer.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2014.
16. Tremblay, Oliver (May 1, 2013). "Montreal Impact 6, Toronto FC 0 | Canadian Championship Match Recap". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
17. Beacon, Bill (October 30, 2015). "Montreal Impact oust Toronto FC from MLS playoffs". CBC. The Canadian Press. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
18. CBC (October 14, 2015). "Toronto FC qualifies for playoffs". cbc.ca. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
19. "Toronto FC 5, Montreal Impact 2 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs Recap". mlssoccer.com. November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
20. "Supporters Clubs | Toronto FC". Torontofc.ca. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2014.