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MONTREAL Patrice Bernier goes back 17 years when the topic turns to the Montreal-Toronto soccer rivalry.

For Bernier, the Montreal Impact's loss toToronto FC in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference final last November was merely the latest chapter inthe on-again, off-again battle between Canada's two largest cities.

The next will come Wednesday night when TFC visits Saputo Stadium for the first leg of the two-game Canadian Championship final.

"In the A-League (circa 2000) we played against the Toronto Lynx a lot," said 37-year-old Bernier."I know that there were a lot more Toronto guys ontheir side and a lot more Montreal guys on our side, so there was no love when you played their team.

"I remember them a lot. Adrian Serioux, Lynden Hooper, Marco Reda. Those guys came up with the Lynx. It just carried over for me (in MLS). The name might have changed but TFC or Toronto (Lynx), it's the same for me."

The rivalry wasa natural when Montreal joinedMLS in 2012 (Toronto had already been there since 2007), but it only really took hold when they startedfacing each other in playoff games.TFC's first-ever post-season game was alacklustre 3-0 loss in a first round knockout game in Montreal in 2015.

Last season, it went through the roof as the Impact won the opening match of the two-legged conference final3-2 before 61,004 at Olympic Stadium only to lose5-2 in the return match before a sellout 36,000 at BMO Field, with TFC scoring two goals in extra time in the highest-scoring MLS playoff series ever.

Toronto lost the MLS Cup final to Seattle on penalties, but Greg Vanney's squad is back with a vengeancethis season, leading MLS with a 9-2-5 record. Montreal was slow off the mark but has levelled its record at 4-4-6 and is 2-0-2 in its last four.

"I like that rivalry aspect, I like that it's a little bit unfriendly," said Vanney."It becomes you and your team, and us against them.

"And I think that's what it should be about. That's why these rivalries are so special. So I'm not discouraged in any way about having to go there and play a game."

The return leg is June 27 in Toronto.

At stake is the Voyageurs Cup, which Montreal won seven times before joining MLS and twice after. Toronto won five times, including last year. There are also bragging rights, which may be as big a factor as skill or tactics in this matchup.

"I don't really say hate butI know that my focus and attention when the name TFC pops up is very high," said Bernier.

Toronto players remarked this week how much theydespise the goal bell at Saputo Stadium that is rung each time the home team scores.

Both teams want the trophy, especially because it gives the winnerentry intoin the CONCACAF Champions League, although if Montreal wins it will also have to win a one-game playoff in Toronto later this summer due to a scheduling change that deprived TFC of this year's CONCACAF berth.

Toronto is in win-now mode with designated players Sebastian Giovinco, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore in their prime, backed by a strong supporting cast, and feel they can go far in CONCACAF. Montreal is eager to get back in after making a run to the final in 2015.

Vanney has lineup decisions to make because his club has a league match Friday night against New England, making for two games in three nights. He confirmed only that Clint Irwin will continue his Canadian Championship run in goal.

The Impact play Saturday in Columbus.

A new rule this season requires teams to start at least three Canadians, which may be all the homegrown talent Montreal coach Mauro Biello has. Forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel is a question mark after a bout of gastro-interitis and forward Ballou Tabla is doubtful with a sore ankle.Louis Beland-Goyette (knee) and David Choiniere (ankle) areout.

That leaves Bernier, defender Wandrille Lefevre and goalie Max Crepeau as the healthy Canadians.

As much as they are rivals, some Impact and TFC players are also teammates on the national squad who were together onlylast weekfor a win over Curacao at Saputo Stadium.

"There was some banter," said Bernier, who wore the captain's armband against Curacao. "Raheem (Edwards), Jonathan (Osorio). Tosaint (Ricketts)wasn't there but I've known him for a while now.

"They're doing very well so Reheem wasn't afraid to talk about his team. For a young player, he's not shy of talking, whichI like because it means he has confidence in himself and that's good for the men's national team. But we're not on the same team now. It's 2017 and whatever we did in 2016 doesn't exist anymore. We have to prove that we're the best team."

With files from Neil Davidson in Toronto

Bill Beacon, The Canadian Press

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version misspelled Tosaint Ricketts' name.

Continued here:
Growing rivalry highlighted as TFC visits Impact in Canadian Championship play - GuelphToday

MONTREAL Patrice Bernier goes back 17 years when the topic turns to the Montreal-Toronto soccer rivalry.

For Bernier, the Montreal Impact's loss toToronto FC in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference final last November was merely the latest chapter inthe on-again, off-again battle between Canada's two largest cities.

The next will come Wednesday night when TFC visits Saputo Stadium for the first leg of the two-game Canadian Championship final.

"In the A-League (circa 2000) we played against the Toronto Lynx a lot," said 37-year-old Bernier."I know that there were a lot more Toronto guys ontheir side and a lot more Montreal guys on our side, so there was no love when you played their team.

"I remember them a lot. Adrian Serioux, Lynden Hooper, Marco Reda. Those guys came up with the Lynx. It just carried over for me (in MLS). The name might have changed but TFC or Toronto (Lynx), it's the same for me."

The rivalry wasa natural when Montreal joinedMLS in 2012 (Toronto had already been there since 2007), but it only really took hold when they startedfacing each other in playoff games.TFC's first-ever post-season game was alacklustre 3-0 loss in a first round knockout game in Montreal in 2015.

Last season, it went through the roof as the Impact won the opening match of the two-legged conference final3-2 before 61,004 at Olympic Stadium only to lose5-2 in the return match before a sellout 36,000 at BMO Field, with TFC scoring two goals in extra time in the highest-scoring MLS playoff series ever.

Toronto lost the MLS Cup final to Seattle on penalties, but Greg Vanney's squad is back with a vengeancethis season, leading MLS with a 9-2-5 record. Montreal was slow off the mark but has levelled its record at 4-4-6 and is 2-0-2 in its last four.

"I like that rivalry aspect, I like that it's a little bit unfriendly," said Vanney."It becomes you and your team, and us against them.

"And I think that's what it should be about. That's why these rivalries are so special. So I'm not discouraged in any way about having to go there and play a game."

The return leg is June 27 in Toronto.

At stake is the Voyageurs Cup, which Montreal won seven times before joining MLS and twice after. Toronto won five times, including last year. There are also bragging rights, which may be as big a factor as skill or tactics in this matchup.

"I don't really say hate butI know that my focus and attention when the name TFC pops up is very high," said Bernier.

Toronto players remarked this week how much theydespise the goal bell at Saputo Stadium that is rung each time the home team scores.

Both teams want the trophy, especially because it gives the winnerentry intoin the CONCACAF Champions League, although if Montreal wins it will also have to win a one-game playoff in Toronto later this summer due to a scheduling change that deprived TFC of this year's CONCACAF berth.

Toronto is in win-now mode with designated players Sebastian Giovinco, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore in their prime, backed by a strong supporting cast, and feel they can go far in CONCACAF. Montreal is eager to get back in after making a run to the final in 2015.

Vanney has lineup decisions to make because his club has a league match Friday night against New England, making for two games in three nights. He confirmed only that Clint Irwin will continue his Canadian Championship run in goal.

The Impact play Saturday in Columbus.

A new rule this season requires teams to start at least three Canadians, which may be all the homegrown talent Montreal coach Mauro Biello has. Forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel is a question mark after a bout of gastro-interitis and forward Ballou Tabla is doubtful with a sore ankle.Louis Beland-Goyette (knee) and David Choiniere (ankle) areout.

That leaves Bernier, defender Wandrille Lefevre and goalie Max Crepeau as the healthy Canadians.

As much as they are rivals, some Impact and TFC players are also teammates on the national squad who were together onlylast weekfor a win over Curacao at Saputo Stadium.

"There was some banter," said Bernier, who wore the captain's armband against Curacao. "Raheem (Edwards), Jonathan (Osorio). Tosaint (Ricketts)wasn't there but I've known him for a while now.

"They're doing very well so Reheem wasn't afraid to talk about his team. For a young player, he's not shy of talking, whichI like because it means he has confidence in himself and that's good for the men's national team. But we're not on the same team now. It's 2017 and whatever we did in 2016 doesn't exist anymore. We have to prove that we're the best team."

With files from Neil Davidson in Toronto

Bill Beacon, The Canadian Press

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version misspelled Tosaint Ricketts' name.

Continued here:
Growing rivalry highlighted as TFC visits Impact in Canadian Championship play - BarrieToday

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Lee Radford believes Hull FC's knockout rugby experience can provide the edge as they aim to topple Super League leaders Castleford Tigers in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Castleford may be six points clear at the top of the league but Radford feels Hull can fall back on their tremendous experience gained from a famous journey to win the Cup last year.

Daryl Powell's men are heavily favoured to succeed at the KCOM Stadium, with Radford knowing only FC's best will allow them to progress through to the final four.

Hull's taskmaster insists his troops must take their opportunities to keep up with free-scoring Castleford in what he describes as the club's most important match of 2017 to date.

"I'm really looking forward to this game. Castleford have been the most consistent team throughout the season so far but in knockout rugby we are a good side on our day," Radford told the Mail. "We are expecting to be at our best tomorrow.

"You don't need any prods to get up for this match that's for sure. You get one shot at it ultimately and if you get that wrong, you get some free weekends. We don't want that option of time off because we want to be involved in this Cup competition as long as we can.

More news: Steve Michaels staying with Hull FC in 2018?

"Catalans in the last round was the biggest game of our season and now this is by far. I cannot wait. We must take our opportunities and that's huge. Each knockout game was slightly different last year and it was the same when I played with Bradford and FC.

"The fact that a large contingency of our 17 performed in the knockout games last season was really important in the run to Wembley.

"That's what we are striving for. I'm hoping Castleford bring their best and we bring ours."

Radford, who welcomes back influential trio Mark Minichiello, Danny Houghton and Scott Taylor into his squad, says Hull must be strong in defence when Castleford are coming out of their own end to succeed.

"Castleford are playing good rugby. I've seen a lot of comments saying they are reinventing the game but they're just playing good rugby," Radford added.

"Offensively they are a brilliant side so if we invite them down our end, particularly for sustained periods, it will be a difficult afternoon. The key to playing these blokes is to make them come off their own try-line repetitively.

"To do that you need patience, discipline, and good execution - we've got all that in abundance."

More news: Details of Hull FC legend Arthur Bunting's funeral announced

See the article here:
Lee Radford believes knockout experience can give Hull FC edge ... - Hull Daily Mail

HARRISON, N.J. Was it the appetizer to the main event next Saturday or just a different flavor to the budding rivalry between the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC?

Whatever you want to call it, the first-ever U.S. Open Cup match between the two and by default the first knockout game helped take this derby to another level.

Red Bull Arena wasnt quite packed to the gills,but both supporters sections were boisterous throughout the game. Both teams also put out strong starting lineups, further proof that nothing short of a victory would be acceptable in this midweek tangle.

I think it does [add something to the rivalry]. I dont think theres two ways about it, Red Bulls coach Chris Armas, who led the team with Jesse Marsch suspended, said. Theres no escaping that. Were red, theyre blue. The whole thing is going. Its been tremendous for our league, New York and New Jersey, for any soccer fan in our area. Typically, a [fourth] round Open Cup, you dont see a crowd like that and the energy with our fans and their fans.

The rivalry is still one-sided, with the Red Bulls winning six of the seven all-time meetings and every encounter at Red Bull Arena. But under Patrick Vieiras guidance and with some roster additions, NYCFC is closing the gap.

I think NYCFC has gotten better since years past so it was a very difficult game for us, Red Bulls captain Sacha Kljestan said. They altered a few things about them, maybe its just the personnel on the field, but theyre a good team. We have a lot of respect for them. We know its a big contrast of styles playing against each other.

One defensive mistake on a ball played from Sean Johnson to Frederic Brillant changed the course of this game. Bradley Wright-Phillips forced Johnson off his line, the ball popped up in the air and Daniel Royer clinically finished with a first-time volley for the lone goal.

Johnson said theres positives, and lessons as well, NYCFC can take into the first of three regular season showdowns on June 24 at Red Bull Arena.

Oh yeah, well be ready when we come back, Johnson said. For sure everyone has a sour taste in our mouth now. I can speak to myself, it didnt feel good to walk off that field without a win. I feel we have the talent to get results against this team. We respect them as a team, but I feel confident well definitely work hard to make amends for today.

For Vieira, trying to change the color of this red-dominated rivalry is the ultimate test.

Its a fantastic challenge, a really good challenge for myself, for the players because when you look at our record, we played them seven times and we had six losses and only one win, Vieira said. That will make the next games more exciting and more challenging for us. As a football coach, as a club and as a player, this is the type of challenge that can be really exciting.

See the rest here:
US Open Cup clash deepens NY Derby ahead of MLS regular season showdowns - MLSsoccer.com

London:Champions Trophy in England is set for a thrilling climax as arch rivals India and Pakistan face off for the 3rd time in a decade in a knockout game at an ICC event. However, Indian team is not as confident as they were before the previous two clashes and the reason is the absence of Pakistani legend Misbah ul Haq. Misbah made a vital contribution in Indian victory at both 2007 T20 final and 2011 World Cup semifinal and his absence can really hurt India. Indian players celebrating Misbahs arrival at the crease

During 2007 final, Misbah threw away his wicket with only 6 required off last 4 balls and during the 2011 semifinal, he put the entire crowd to sleep with his batting so we arent really sure how India ended up winning the game but that is what eventually happened. Now that he has retired, India needs someone else to step up and hand the game over to India.

Voicing this concern,a leading cricketing expert said ,More than anything else, Misbahs absence will really hurt India. They will have to win the game on their own and cant expect any help from Pakistani batsmen. There are no Akmals in the side either so there is already no help from the fielders in terms of dropped catches and Pakistani bowling never helps India anyway. With Misbah, India could have expected a run rate of 3 runs per over during the middle overs from Pakistan but now that assurance is gone.

India will need to score 25-30 runs extra to compensate for Misbahs absence and while trying to score those extra runs, they may lose their wickets quickly and hand the initiative to Pakistan. This adds an extra dimension to an already mouthwatering final, the expert added.

Meanwhile, back in India, some TV channels are planning to boycott the coverage of the match and will show the Bollywood films Border and Gadar during the match to depict India-Pakistan contest.

Read more:
Beating Pakistan in a knockout game won't be easy for India in Misbah's absence: Experts - Firstpost (satire)