MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact continues its playoff race against a direct rival, Orlando City SC, this Saturday at 7:30pm at Stade Saputo (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). Excellent tickets for this game are still available at impactmontreal.com.
“I expect a good game against Orlando. The last game against them was very exciting, going back and forth,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We need to be wary of their attacking options, but at the same time, we play in front of our supporters and we want to improve on our last games. We have to do a better job at home and put the game on our own terms.”
Another edition of the IMFC Summer will start at 5pm, as the stadium’s doors open, with two-for-one deals on all drinks until 6, as well as a performances by emerging artists from Quebec, L.A. Foster and Papi Chulo, in collaboration with Pop Montreal, starting at 5:30pm.
The Impact recommends that supporters use public transit and get to the stadium early. Due to transformation work at the corner of Pie-IX Blvd. and Sherbrooke St., traffic delays may occur in the Olympic Park area, notably on Viau St., on Pierre-de-Coubertin Ave. and Notre-Dame St. E.
As usual, the MLS Bag Policy will be in effect. All backpacks, camera bags and large tote bags, as well as all bags bigger than 35 cm x 35 cm x 15 cm are prohibited.
Please also note that parking entrances have changed names since last season. Entrance PB is now called P5 (orange), while entrance PA has made way for entrances P1, P2 & P4 (yellow).
Three important points in play
Jason Kreis’ Lions, currently sitting in seventh place in the East, two lengths from the red line, are going through a rough patch, not having won a single game in July. The attack has also slowed down, with only three goals scored in five games. Dom Dwyer’s transfer from Sporting Kansas City, a new MLS record, could unlock things up front.
The Bleu-blanc-noir, for its part, will want to bounce back after two consecutive losses. At home, the Montreal squad has won four games in five and will try to find again that stronghold aura for Stade Saputo, with five of the next six matches played near Olympic Stadium.
“The month of August will be very important for us. We have to take it one game at a time, starting from this Saturday’s against Orlando,” said midfielder and captain Patrice Bernier. “We need maximum points at home, that’s for sure. We will go step by step and find our confidence.”
Nacho Piatti returns at the right time
Argentine Nacho Piatti, who played 31 minutes on Wednesday in the MLS All-Star Game against Real Madrid, will be available for this game. He has recorded four goals and one assist in six career matchups against Orlando. In Montreal, the Impact has won one, lost one and tied one against Kaká and his teammates.
Upcoming games
The Impact travels to Philadelphia for another game against a direct rival in the East, on Saturday, August 12 at 8pm at Talen Energy Center (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690), before starting a series of four consecutive home games, beginning with a visit from Chicago Fire and Bastian Schweinsteiger, on Wednesday, August 16, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690 – TICKETS).
