Deandre Kerr scored four goals as Toronto FC defeated Saint Laurent 8-1 on Tuesday, winning the Canadian Championship quarter-final match 11-1 on aggregate.
Despite the one-sided result, the Quebec Ligue1 champions at times played inspired football against an MLS team that turned to supporting players in this encounter. They controlled 22-13 in shots and 11-10 in shots on goal.
Team Quebec also became the first semi-pro team to score against an MLS team during this competition. They also hit the post twice during this meeting.
“We showed Montreal, Quebec and everyone in Canada that we can play football,” Saint Laurent captain Wesley Vandje said. This is the goal we had before we came here. So I'm proud of that. »
Toronto's eight goals, including one against CS Saint Laurent, are a record for this competition. The previous record was set by Atletico Ottawa against Valor in the preliminary round on May 1.
This is also a record for Toronto FC.
“I think it showed the gap in quality between the two teams, of course,” Laurentian coach Nick Razaghi said. They were really there to play, which is a testament to the great respect our players have. »
Despite Saint Laurent's efforts in the first half, Toronto took advantage of its opportunities and took a 3-0 lead in the 43rd minute, with Kerr scoring all three goals.
Things went from bad to worse in the 45th minute when veteran Tunisian defender Oussama Bouganmi received a red card after a cross kick to the face from Alonso Coelho.
Cassius Mailola, Derrick Etienne Jr. and Prince Owusu also scored for Toronto, which earned its second hat-trick in as many games. Italian Federico Bernardeschi scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 MLS win over Montreal on Saturday.
Kerr, who is behind Owusu in the club hierarchy, now has five goals in the Canadian Championship this year. The 21-year-old from Toronto has scored eight goals in 58 MLS appearances.
Toronto's first three goals of the second half were a Maiola deflection in the 50th minute, an Etienne shot from the penalty spot in the 56th minute, and a Nathan Gullet own goal in the 62nd minute. Kerr added his fourth in the 72nd minute and Owusu scored in the 80th minute.
Rickson Aristilde responded in the 89th minute for Saint Laurent.
Toronto coach John Herdman said: “The result is what it is, but they have made big strides.” By scoring their first goal, I was very happy for them. I thought they did enough to score a goal tonight. »
On Wednesday, Toronto will know which team will face it in the semi-finals, as Canada Soccer will conduct a draw to determine the matches and locations of the home and away matches.
On Wednesday, Montreal will host FC Forge. The first duel ended 1-1.
The winner of the Canadian Championship will win the Voyageurs Cup and qualify for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
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“In the sixth round, we were looking for a Quebecer, but he was selected.”