Toronto must beat Montreal to lift the Voyageurs Cup

The Nutrilite Canadian Championship will be decided Tuesday at BMO Field on Tuesday night. (Toronto FC)

Toronto FC must beat the Montreal Impact Tuesday night to win the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and qualify as Canada's representative in the CONCACAF Champions League. The Impact are two points ahead of Toronto in the tournament standings heading into the final game. The winner of the tournament will lift the Voyageurs Cup, and go on to face Nicaraguan Champions Real Esteli in the Preliminary Round of the Champions League next month.

"It's a massive game," said Toronto FC midfielder Carl Robinson. "I catch the train to the stadium for training everyday, and the fans are always talking to me about how important it is to win the Canadian Championship. Derby games are life or death to me. We all know that we need to win the game. We have got to do whatever it takes to win. It's massive for everyone involved with the club, and all of the supporters. We want to bring a trophy back here and hopefully it will be the first of many and we can also progress to the play offs."

"We know how important it is to win the game and get through to the next stage of the Champions League," said goalkeeper Greg Sutton. "We know Montreal's season rests on what happens in this game so they will be up for it. We're excited and just can't wait to get out there."

The Impact only need a point to lift the cup, and the Reds players expect Montreal to put a lot of emphasis on defence. "We have to come in and be professional and take the game to them," said defender Tyrone Marshall. "If they're going to come here and keep men behind the ball, we'll have a go at them and get loads of balls into the box and see how long they can keep us out. If we can score a goal the game will open up."

"They'll probably come here looking for a point," added captain Jim Brennan. "We need three points so we'll be going at them. It's a big game for everyone, but especially for me being Canadian. People from Toronto don't want to lose to Montreal at anything so it's one we have to win.

Toronto FC beat Montreal 1-0 in the opening game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship in May, when Marco Velez scored the only goal of the game. Since then the Reds lost at home to Vancouver and drew 2-2 in the return game at the Whitecaps. Montreal won both of their games against Vancouver. The Impact beat Miami FC 3-1 at Stade Saputo on Friday to improve their record in the United Soccer League to 5-8-3.

Kick off is 7:00 p.m. The game is being broadcast live on CBC Bold and TLN.

Nutrilite Canadian Championship:

Team	Record	Points
Montreal Impact	2-0-1	6
Toronto FC	1-1-1	4
Vancouver Whitecaps	1-1-2	4