Big win against East leaders sets up final stretch
The term must-win is often overused in sports. But considering the situation, the Impact absolutely had to win its last game again the Eastern Conference leaders, the Philadelphia Union. Rémi Garde’s men were on a four-game slide, and although they managed to maintain a favourable position in the standings, they needed to turn things around, and quickly.
That’s exactly what they did against the Union, scoring early and not looking back en route to a 4-0 victory at Stade Saputo.
“To win games consistently in the long term, we need to do things correctly,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “We need to play good football, defend well, and attack well. Sometimes you can win luckily, but Saturday, there were a lot of ingredients back within my team that we need to win.”
Of course, the return of Nacho Piatti, the Impact’s talisman, changed the game from an offensive standpoint; add to that Lassi Lappalainen, the Finnish recruit, who earned himself Player of the Week honours after scoring a brace, and a solid defensive performance in which the Impact allowed just three shots on net.
It also marked the Impact’s first MLS clean sheet since a scoreless draw against the New England Revolution on May 18.
“This performance reflects the talent on this team,” said full-back Zachary Brault-Guillard. “We were in a difficult stretch and we had to bounce back. Nacho returned, Lassi had a huge first game, and Orji was on fire. Everyone was solid in their role. We didn’t concede, which boosts morale. These three points against the leaders will do us good.”
The Impact will now look to take this performance into the final stretch of its season, starting with a trip to the Rockies to take on the Colorado Rapids this Saturday, at 9pm EDT, at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690).
