Multiple qualification options for Montreal squad
Thierry Henry’s men held up their end of the bargain last night against D.C. United. The Impact was able to hold on to a 1-0 win over DC United, earning their first three points in the group stage and cementing themselves in third in Group C.
“You need to find ways to win, and today we found a way to win,” said head coach Thierry Henry. “Hopefully we can carry on in this tournament. If we don’t, this was an important win for us in the standings to get us back in the mix in the Eastern Conference.”
With an already better goal differential than the third-placed team in Group A, New York City FC, the Impact needs to be better than at least one of the remaining third-placed teams in the four other groups. However, Sporting Kansas City’s win over Real Salt Lake this morning means that Group D will officially see a third-place team enter the round of 16, leaving three more groups hanging.
Tonight’s game between FC Cincinnati and the New York Red Bulls can see the Impact qualify if either team can pull off a win, but Thierry Henry’s men will have to further wait if that game ends in a draw, which would put both clubs at four points, above the Impact.
Group B’s fixture between the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the Chicago Fire can be decisive for the Impact if the New York-Cincinnati game ends in a tie. If the Whitecaps can earn their first win in the MLS is Back Tournament, the Impact would automatically go through to the next round.
Finally, if that doesn’t pan out, the Impact’s hopes will lie with LA Galaxy, who will either have to draw with the Houston Dynamo or beat them by three goals or less, to ensure the Impact’s qualification.
All this to say that the Impact’s win last night puts the team in a favourable position. Now, it’s time to cross our fingers.
