Editor's note: MLS has announced the remaining schedules for Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver teams. The teams keep their U.S. home stadiums as noted in the article. The regular season finishes up on November 8.
Major League Soccer (MLS) has released 3 more games in piecemeal fashion. The Canadian teams are on an extended road trip into the United States.
Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver have 3 U.S. opponents, 2 road games and a designated home game. The Reds and Impact actually get a neutral field while the Whitecaps play a "home" game at the field of the opponent.
The Impact will play Philadelphia at the home of the Red Bulls in Harrison, NJ. The Reds get an actual neutral field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT.
We have found that offensive when the Toronto Blue Jays were stuck with that scenario while the team got Sahlen Field in Buffalo ready. Very difficult to imagine MLS couldn't find a neutral field on the West Coast of the United States.
The Canadian teams have an imbalance on U.S. soil even with a neutral field. The Canadian teams are living in suitcases; going back to Canada means a 14-day quarantine.
The eastern Canadian teams also have a much better travel schedule in playing 3 games in 8 days (7 days for Montréal) compared to Vancouver's flying schedule.
TSN and TVA Sports will have their usual coverage. ESPN+ will have the games in the United States.
| Date | Road | Home | Time |
| September 19 | Toronto | D.C. United | 7:30p |
| September 19 | Vancouver | Real Salt Lake | 9:30p |
| September 20 | Philadelphia | Montréal* | 7:30p |
| September 23 | Toronto | New York City FC | 7p |
| September 23 | Montréal | New England | 7:30p |
| September 23 | Vancouver | LAFC | 10:30p |
| September 27 | Montréal | NY Red Bulls | 7p |
| September 27 | Columbus | Toronto+ | 7:30p |
| September 27 | Portland | Vancouver# | 10p |
* Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ; + Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT;
# Providence Park, Portland
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Toronto FC had a tremendous unbeaten run of 18 games, a game short of the MLS record of 19 last done a decade ago. The Reds pulled off 3 straight shutouts on Canadian soil until the Impact posted a 1-0 victory.
Toronto was set to tie the game on a penalty kick when Alejandro Pozuelo was ready to kick, but passed the ball to Pablo Piatti. Piatti scored on Impact goalkeeper Clement Diop, but the goal didn't count. The play looked cool but apparently was too cute for the rules.
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Having 250 people in a 20,081 seat Stade Saputo won't make too much noise but a lot more noise than having 0 fans. The Montréal Impact took advantage of Quebec's guidelines since 250 is the maximum allowed.
The 750 tickets sold represent the only fans who have been able to see a major league sport on Canadian soil since the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic shut everything down.
The Impact gave club members first access to tickets that started at $49.
British Columbia and Alberta getting the smoke from U.S. West Coast wildfires
Toronto FC will take on either Hamilton Forge FC or Halifax HFX Wanderers for the Canadian Championship. The Canadian Premier League entry will be determined tomorrow. Americans can watch that match on Fox Sports 2 at 1:30 pm Eastern from Charlottetown, PEI.
The Reds finished 4-2 against the other Canadian teams. Montréal (3-3) had a chance to advance with a second win over Vancouver (2-4) but lost 3-1 on Wednesday.
Toronto FC posted 3 straight shutout wins to start the round-robin, 2 against Vancouver and 1 against Montréal. The Impact posted a shutout win against both Vancouver and Toronto.
The 2020 Canadian Championship winner gets the Voyageurs Cup and qualifies for the next edition of the Concacaf Champions League.
We noted earlier this week about the impact of the smoke on the Montréal Impact series at BC Place against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The hydration breaks were definitely helpful.
photo credit: TSN/MLS
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