Last road fixture before home opener
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Montreal Impact will play its sixth and last consecutive game on the road to open its season Tuesday when it visits D.C. United at 8pm at Audi Field (TVA Sports, TSN 690). It will be the club’s second game in just four days, after a 0-0 draw in New York on Saturday.
“D.C. United is coming off a bad loss, a little like we were last week,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “Any team that goes through that type of loss tightens things up. There’s certainly going to be a reaction from them. We need to take care of ourselves. We need to focus on avoiding lapses in our investment on the pitch, in our focus levels and in our solidarity. Our opponent has its strengths and its weaknesses, but we’re thinking about ourselves, no matter who we’re facing.”
Staying on course
Montreal bounced back after its tough loss in Kansas. Saturday in New York, the Impact even came close to stealing all three points. It’s just the third time since it joined MLS that the club has a record of two wins, two losses, and one draw in its first five road games. In 2013 and 2016, those seven points eventually lead Montreal to the postseason.
“We want three points,” said midfielder Micheal Azira. “We want payback, because our performance in Washington last year was not great. Everyone is already focused on the task. We need to score more goals while continuing to defend well as a team.”
More milestones for Evan Bush
After reaching 15,000-minutes played in the regular season with the Impact in the first and second divisions, goalkeeper Evan Bush, if he starts, will reach 150 games played and started in MLS, and will equal a club record for most consecutive starts by a goalkeeper set by Troy Perkins.
“We’re 2-2-1 with a five-game road trip to start the season,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “That’s fantastic so far, and if we can get something out of this D.C. game, it would be a successful trip. That was the point all along, to keep our heads above water until we get home games and get the most points that we can. If you take away the Kansas City game, we’re pretty satisfied with how things have gone so far.”
In other news, Designated Player Nacho Piatti will miss his third consecutive game due to a knee injury. On his end, striker Maxi Urruti is suspended for this fixture in the American capital because of the red card he received on Saturday.
D.C. United licking its wounds
Once again, the Impact will face an opponent that suffered a heavy defeat in its last game. D.C. United lost 4-0 at the hands of Los Angeles FC this weekend. Wayne Rooney was sent off against the Californian team and will be unavailable when Montreal visits. Also, full-back Joseph Mora will miss this one with a jaw injury.
Upcoming games
The Impact will play its 2019 home opener on Saturday, April 13 at 1pm at Stade Saputo, against the Columbus Crew SC (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98,5, TSN 690). Supporters are invited to arrive at Stade Saputo 90 minutes before kickoff for a brand-new pregame ritual during which they will be able to welcome the players in the stadium like never before. Montreal will then head to the city of brotherly love for a game against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, April 20 at 1pm at Talen Energy Stadium (TVA Sports, 98,5, TSN 690).
