TFC thumps Montreal to take first road win

Montreal, QC – Toronto FC pulled off an unlikely result Wednesday by earning a resounding 3-0 win over the Montreal Impact at the Stade Saputo.

The Impact entered the match with a 4-1-2 record at home this season, and with Toronto anchoring the Eastern Conference after throwing away two-goal leads in its last two matches, Montreal appeared to be the strong favorite Wednesday night.

But second-half goals from Torsten Frings, Ryan Johnson and Danny Koevermans helped Toronto claim its first road win of the season.

TFC (2-10-2) extends its unbeaten run to three games to improve to eight points on the season, all of which have come in the club's last five games.

Montreal (5-9-3) stays put on 18 points while marking the debut of Designated Player Marco Di Vaio with a disappointing loss.

Toronto had the best chance of the opening period when Johnson missed a sitter inside the opening five minutes. A loose ball inside the penalty area fell kindly to Johnson's feet, but the TFC attacker slammed his effort wide of the post from close range.

Montreal had the better running of the remainder of the first half but failed to convert any of its several half-chances.

The home side was made to pay for its misses as Frings broke the deadlock seven minutes after halftime.

The former Germany international hammered a free kick from the edge of the box through the hands of Impact goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who will be disappointed to have not done better with the shot.

Toronto head coach Paul Mariner said this week that he wanted his side to better defensively, especially the players in front of the back-four.

That mentality paid off 18 minutes from time as the visitors doubled the advantage after winning the ball back in the offensive third of the pitch.

Johnson made amends for his earlier miss when he collected a pass from Nick Soolsma in the 72nd minute and chipped a shot past Ricketts and into the back of the net.

Koevermans then put the result beyond any lingering doubt when he ghosted into the six-yard box unmarked and turned in Ashtone Morgan's low cross from close range.

Both sides return to action on Saturday to face a pair of Eastern Conference leaders. Toronto will make the short trip home for its tilt with Red Bull New York at BMO Field while Montreal hits the road to face D.C. United at RFK Stadium.