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Canadian rivals square off at BMO

Oct 19, 2012 - 8:55 PM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - The Montreal Impact will try to pile more misery on Canadian rivals Toronto FC on Saturday when the two sides square off at BMO Field.

Toronto is riding a 12-game winless streak that is just one game shy of the club record, and the team has collected just three points during that span.

TFC is already assured of finishing with the least amount of points in MLS this season, but Montreal head coach Jesse Marsch feels that there is still plenty to play for despite his own side having been eliminated from playoff contention.

"There is still importance to this game because of the Canadian Championship and there is the pride factor," Marsch said. "Pride in our team, pride in our club, pride in our city. You can see that the team is motivated in all the right ways, it's just now making sure what the game is going to be like, what it's going to be like going there and playing a team that has not won in a while."

The Impact has been in disappointing form as well recently as the club followed up a five-game winning streak that put it in playoff contention with a run of just two points from its last four games.

Montreal may have missed out on a playoff spot this season, but the club still can finish with the third best record for an expansion team in MLS history with a win in either of its final two games.

And in addition to that, the last two matches of the season can be used to get a head start on next season, particularly up top.

The partnership of Marco Di Vaio and Andrew Wenger will be in focus as the 21- year-old Wenger continues to grow and learn from his more experienced teammate.

Used mainly as a substitute this season, Wenger has tallied four goals in 21 appearances, while Di Vaio has appeared in 15 matches and chipped in five goals.

Wenger is a player who has a big role in the future of Montreal, and Marsch is counting on Di Vaio to help him along.

"Marco has helped Andrew in a lot of different little ways, giving him ideas and guiding him in a good way," Marsch said. "We've got to keep pushing that."