MONTREAL — Impact defender Maxim Tissot said he did not suffer a concussion in Montreal’s midweek clash with Toronto FC.
Tissot sustained a head injury after slamming awkwardly into the end boards during the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal in Toronto on Wednesday, but the team says it was not a concussion.
“They tested me for concussion symptoms after the game and I was OK,” said Tissot before the Impact’s practice Friday.
“I’m feeling all right. I haven’t had headaches since.”
“I had a headache after the game, but I think that was because of the collision, not because of concussion symptoms.”
In other injury news Friday, the Impact said striker Kenny Cooper likely needed knee surgery and would be out “long-term.” The veteran forward was forced to leave in the 32nd minute after scoring in Toronto.
Coach Frank Klopas played down the injury after the game but the doctors thought otherwise, it seems.
Acquired on waivers April 12, Cooper has seen just four minutes of league action with Montreal.
With the score tied 1-1 in the 54th minute Wednesday, Tissot fell head first into the ad panels behind Montreal’s goal. The 23-year-old spent about three minutes crouched on the sidelines being tended to by Montreal’s medical staff, and then another two minutes waiting to get back into the game.
While Tissot was off the pitch, Toronto scored two goals to take a 3-1 lead.
“I thought the play was dead, that’s why I took my time,” said Tissot, who also slightly hurt his shoulder on the play.
“The medical staff came to see me – even Toronto’s medical staff came – to see if I was conscious and if I could remember where I was. I was asked not to move. That’s why it took so much time.
“When they asked me to get to my knees, I looked at the field for the first time and saw them (Toronto) score. I got up right away and knew I had to get back on the field.”
Tissot, who’s used as both a midfielder and defender for the Impact, remained in the game and played until the final whistle.
Montreal lost the match 3-2 but advanced to the Voyageurs Cup final on aggregate.
“When I saw it (the collision), I thought the guy was out, the way he got hit,” said Klopas, who asked Tissot shortly after the injury what the score was to make sure his defender was all right.
“I think he’s OK now. There are no concussions symptoms or anything like that.
“Tomorrow he should be available.”
The Impact take on Real Salt Lake at Saputo Stadium in MLS action on Saturday.
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