As Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney took his usual place in front of a crest-covered backdrop Thursday, the group of reporters gathered outside the practice facility well outnumbered the norm.
“Must be Montreal or something,” Vanney quipped.
It is, and it’s not.
Saturday afternoon is the first meeting of the regular season between the Canadian rivals, dubbed the 401 derby.
But this isn’t just any match between the adversaries.
The Impact is also the team that gave Toronto a rude awakening in its long-awaited, first-ever playoff game last October, ending the Reds’ season handily with an easy 3-1 win at Stade Saputo.