FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts – The Montreal Impact will look to solidify a playoff position as it takes on the New England Revolution this Saturday at 7:30pm EDT, at Gillette Stadium, in its second to last game of the season (RDS, TSN2, CJAD 800).
“We control our own destiny,” said forward Dominic Oduro. “We will be facing a good team and we are expecting a very good game. We need to go out there and battle to earn our spot.”
Depending on the result of the Orlando City SC versus New York City FC game on Friday night, the Impact could take the pitch on Saturday already assured of a spot in the postseason because a Lions loss or draw would mathematically eliminate the expansion side from playoff contention.
Also, a win by the Impact (13-13-6, 45 pts) over New England would guarantee a postseason berth for the bleu-blanc-noir, a second in just four years in MLS, and would leapfrog the Revs, currently in fourth spot in the Eastern Conference (13-11-8, 47 pts).
Depending on the outcome of this weekend’s games involving Toronto FC vs Columbus and D.C. United vs Chicago, the Impact could climb as high as third spot in the East, and would still be in mathematical position to claim second place in the Eastern Conference.
“They are a quality team that presents a big challenge to us as they are a good team in possession with a couple of players we need to keep an eye on,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “For us now, it’s about improving on our performance in Colorado, showing the same fight, but bringing more quality in our game.”
IMFC will have to try and do so without the likes of Laurent Ciman suspended for yellow card accumulation following his caution from last Saturday’s hugely important 1-0 victory on the road over the Colorado Rapids, while it was announced on Wednesday that Andrés Romero will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.
However, defender Ambroise Oyongo will be an option following his suspension, while all players who were away for international duty are also back with the group.
The Revs could clinch its spot in the playoffs with a win or draw against the Impact in their final regular season home game, but the team has struggled of late, with a winless run extended to three games following a 3-1 defeat against the Chicago Fire on October 3.
The teams are meeting for the third time this season. Striker Didier Drogba scored a goal and set up another as Johan Venegas and Dilly Duka also tallied in a 3-0 Impact win on September 19 at Stade Saputo. The teams reached a scoreless draw on March 21 at Gillette Stadium. The Revs have won just once on home soil in four contests with IMFC.
Teal Bunbury will miss the matchup due to yellow card accumulation and Jermaine Jones played two games with the U.S. international squad this week, which may rule him out as a starter come Saturday.
IMFC will conclude its regular season at Stade Saputo on Sunday, October 25, at 5pm EDT (RDS, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN 690 Radio), against rivals Toronto FC.
