Impact-Toronto playoff series a milestone for Canadian club soccer
MONTREAL — Patrice Bernier is well aware of what an all-Canadian playoff series played before huge crowds means to his sport.
The Brossard, Que., native will be in the thick of it for the Montreal Impact when they play host to Toronto FC in the first leg of an MLS Eastern Conference semifinal on Tuesday night before a crowd expected to top 60,000. The second leg is Nov. 30 at BMO Field in Toronto.
“As a Canadian international who was born here and plays here, this is great for the game,” Bernier said Monday. “You always look to the national team to ignite it because the World Cup is the biggest stage, but now you have two clubs that are telling kids that this is the type of game you want to play in; that you want to play for the Montreal Impact or TFC.
“For me to be back home and part of that is great. It’s great that there will be a Canadian team in the final, and we’re going to work hard to make sure it’s us.”