The Bleu-blanc-noir takes on San Jose to kick off 2019
We know you’ve all been impatient. We can tell by all the Twitter posts counting down the days until the Impact finally hits the field to open its regular season. No worries, we’ve been impatient too here at Impact Media. Although preseason games did somewhat quench our thirst, the Impact’s form in camp makes the beginning of the 2019 season that much more attractive.
But we’re finally here. It isn’t two weeks away or even one week away, it’s tomorrow, at 10pm EST, against the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium (TVA Sports, 98.5, CJAD 800). And there are so many reasons to be excited, not only for this game, but for this entire season.
Here are 10 things you need to know before the season opens this Saturday.
IT’S OUR FIRST GAME
Let’s start with the obvious. This is it. The first time you get to see your Bleu-blanc-noir play a significant game in 2019. With their six first games on the road, Rémi Garde’s men know how important it will be to kick off the campaign on the right foot before playing their home opener at Stade Saputo on April 13. Expect a strong start from the Montreal side in California.
2018 was a season of ups and downs. A positive ending and a mesmerizing playoff race came on the heels of a difficult start to the campaign, one which included losing centre-back Zakaria Diallo to what proved to be a costly season-ending injury. This, the fact that it was a new league for the coaching staff, and a high turnover among the players within the group, were all contributors to the team being a little slow out of the gate.
This year is different, and it was noticeable at camp. Garde’s principles are now firmly ingrained within the team culture and the group, excluding Ken Krolicki, who suffered a dislocated elbow in the last preseason game, is healthy heading into Saturday’s game.
Spice in attack
It was no secret that the Bleu-blanc-noir’s most pressing need last season was a striker, and the Impact managed to fill the void impressively during the offseason, bringing in striker Maxi Urruti from FC Dallas.
The Argentine striker has already netted twice in preseason and seems to be getting along quite well with his compatriot Nacho Piatti. On the right, the addition of Harry Novillo, a strong, fast, technical and hard-working midfielder, will complete what looks to be a dangerous offensive trident for the Montreal side.
Simply Piatti
You may be used to the Argentine by now. Maybe what he does game after game for the Impact has become the norm for you. You just know that if Nacho Piatti is in the starting 11, you may see something absolutely spectacular.
That remains truer than ever in 2019. With already two goals under his belt in preseason, the Designated Player seems set to for another stellar year after being in the conversation for the league’s MVP in 2018. Technically gifted, a deadly finisher and a wonderful passer of the ball, the Nacho Piatti show will once again be the hottest ticket in Montreal in 2019.
The viewing parties
If you don’t already have plans for the game this Saturday, which we remind you kicks off at 10pm EST, or even if you do, we have some options for you. First, Impact Media will be at Burgundy Lion, in Griffintown, to join 1642 MTL and other Impact supporters. You can also take in the game at some of our other partner establishments, such as Café Olimpico and Taverne 1909 Moderne.
Young guns
Head coach Rémi Garde has always expressed his desire to see the club’s younger plays progress and grow under his watch. Last year, young Ken Krolicki earned his fair share of starts under the watchful eye of the head coach, gaining valuable experience in the league. Ironically, it’s Krolicki’s injury this year, suffered in the last preseason game, that may give some of the club’s younger players their chance early this season.
One of the more notable names, of course, is Mathieu Choinière. The young Quebecer put an end to his camp by finding the top corner, beating goalkeeper Bill Hamid with one of the most spectacular goals scored this preseason. One thing is certain, the presence of young players really brings out the best of everyone in the group.
Zakaria Diallo
How can you not be excited to see French centre back Zakaria Diallo play his first regular-season game with the Bleu-blanc-noir? The surprisingly technical and extremely large defender missed the entire 2018 campaign after suffering an injury a few days before the season started, leaving somewhat of a hole in the Bleu-blanc-noir’s defensive line.
But the big man is back and healthier than ever, off the heels of another impressive preseason camp, in which he saw the most playing time out of all Impact players. His presence should be beneficial for the group defensively and his ability on the ball will be essential in moving the play forward more efficiently.
Wondolowski?
The 36-year-old American and long-time MLS player is just two goals shy of passing Landon Donovan for most goals in MLS history. We wish him good luck in his quest, but let’s just say we hope he does not fulfill it this weekend.
Shortened schedule and new playoff format
If you haven’t already heard, there’s been a few changes in MLS that are quite noteworthy. First off, the playoff format. If you’re used to seeing the MLS Cup being played in the beginning of December, that won’t be the case this year. November 10 was chosen as the date for the final, with the regular season coming to an end on October 6.
This change means the schedule is a little more condensed than what we’re used to. The playoffs will kick off on October 19, almost two weeks after the regular season ends. No more home-and-away series as well, as every game will be a single-elimination format, with the higher seed hosting every game. 14 teams will qualify for the postseason as opposed to 12, meaning only the first seeds in each Conference get a first-round bye.
Revenge
This won’t be the first time your Montreal Impact opens the season against the San Jose Earthquakes in the sunny state of California. It didn’t go as planned the first time, in 2017, the Bleu-blanc-noir ultimately falling 1-0 in that season opener after an early goal from San Jose.
Evan Bush and Ignacio Piatti were the only two current Impact players in the starting 11 two years ago, with Daniel Lovitz coming on for his first Impact minutes in the regular season in the second half. Now, almost two years to the date, they have a chance to amend that loss.
