Log In

Reset Password

Lambe strikes early as Toronto break losing streak

Reggie Lambe was on target as Toronto ended their 11-game winless streak with victory over Montreal Impact in the second leg of the Canadian Championships semi-final.The Bermuda international, who bagged a brace in last month’s 3-2 defeat against Chicago Fire in the MLS, struck in the third minute of Wednesday’s game, firing home after a deflected shot from Joao Plata fell invitingly into his path.Toronto, who drew 0-0 with Impact in the away leg, were reduced to ten men when defender Richard Eckersley was dismissed for a seemingly innocuous tackle on Impact midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic.Impact, who hadn’t conceded in their previous three games, found themselves further behind when Ryan Johnson added his team’s second in the 38th minute.Toronto, the defending Canadian Cup champions, will face either Vancouver Whitecaps or Edmonton in next Wednesday’s final.Whitecaps hold a 2-0 advantage from the first leg.While Toronto remain the worst team in the MLS, still without a league win, the victory relieves a smidgen of pressure on boss Aron Winter.“We were determined and we wanted to win the game, period,” goalkeeper Milos Kocic said. “It doesn’t matter if we had three guys less than them, I think we would win because you could see in our eyes and the way we came out on the field. It was a different level.“And that’s the way we were supposed to play the game. The way we played tonight, if we bring this in the league there’s no way we can lose a game, especially at home.”“My guys were just jumping in front of the ball, sliding, it was a great performance by everybody,” Kocic said. “If somebody slides and covers one post, I can concentrate maybe on the other. It makes my job much easier.“After a couple of good chances, after a goal, the whole crowd was behind us,” Kocic said. “It was great, it was just unbelievable to play here. I hope we bring it to the league as well.”