Montreal Impact and Toronto FC players take a knee prior to an MLS soccer match in Montreal, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
MONTREAL (AP) - Alejandro Pozuelo scored on a penalty kick the 50th minute and Toronto FC beat the Montreal Impact 1-0 on Friday night to take the Eastern Conference lead.
Toronto was awarded the penalty shot when Emanuel Maciel handled the ball in the box. Pozuelo slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, with Clement Diop diving the wrong way.
Toronto extended its unbeaten streak to 18 games, dating to last season. It is the second-longest streak in Major League Soccer history. Toronto (5-0-3) can tie the record when it faces Montreal (3-3-1) at home Tuesday night.
The game was the first in MLS since five of six matches were postponed Wednesday night in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. Players wore 'œBlack Lives Matter'ť shirts in the pregame warmup and took a knee in a moment of reflection before the opening whistle. Most players knelt during the anthem.
For the second straight Montreal game there were 250 supporters in the stands at 20,801-seat Saputo Stadium, the maximum allowed by Quebec's department of public health.
Montreal Impact midfielder Emanuel Maciel (25) moves in against Toronto FC forward Pablo Piatti (7) as Impact goalkeeper Clement Diop (23) makes a save during second-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC and Montreal Impact players take part in pregame warmups before an MLS soccer match in Montreal Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Montreal Impact midfielder Emanuel Maciel, left, challenges Toronto FC defender Auro (96) during first-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Montreal Impact midfielder Lassi Lappalainen, left, moves in against Toronto FC defender Auro (96) during first-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Montreal Impact forward Romell Quioto (30), left, is challenged by Toronto FC defender Justin Morrow (2) during first-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
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Montreal Impact fans sit in the stadium prior to an MLS soccer game against Toronto FC in Montreal, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo (10) scores against the Montreal Impact from the penalty spot during second-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo, center, celebrates with teammates Pablo Piatti, left, and Jonathan Osorio after scoring against the Montreal Impact from the penalty spot during second-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Toronto FC midfielder Nick DeLeon (18) is challenged by Montreal Impact midfielder Victor Wanyama during second-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Montreal Impact midfielder Emanuel Maciel (25) moves in against Toronto FC forward Pablo Piatti (7) during second-half MLS soccer match action in Montreal, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press