The Bleu-blanc-noir is on a two-game winning streak
KANSAS CITY, Kansas – After three consecutive regular season home games, the Impact goes back on the road, this Saturday at 8pm EDT, against Sporting Kansas City, at Children’s Mercy Park, in Kansas City (TVA Sports [pregame show at 7:30pm], 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690 [pregame show at 7pm]).
“We are expecting difficult conditions,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We will need to be intelligent in all phases of the game, recognizing the right moments to unbalance offensively and being difficult to break down defensively.”
“It’s going to be difficult,” added goalkeeper Evan Bush. “It will be the first game we play when it will be very hot, and it’s a hostile environment. We will have to rely on our depth for sure and it will take a fully committed effort from everyone on this trip to bring something back home.”
A chance to catch up with the pack
Only three games are scheduled this weekend across MLS, because of the international break. The Bleu-blanc-noir, who has won its past two games, thus has the opportunity to climb up in the standings and get closer to the infamous red line with its 13th game this season – which is the lowest amount of games played in the league at this stage in 2017.
Many players unavailable
Mauro Biello will have to make some changes to his starting lineup, with many regulars on international leave. Laurent Ciman (Belgium), Ambroise Oyongo (Cameroon), Blerim Dzemaili (Switzerland), as well as Maxime Crépeau, Patrice Bernier, Wandrille Lefèvre and Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Canada) will not be available.
Nacho Piatti continues his good form
Argentine attacking midfielder and Designated Player Nacho Piatti continues to ignite the Impact’s forward line. Along with three goals and one assist in his past four games in all competitions, Piatti now has seven goals and an assist in his eight most recent matches. In two career games against SKC, the number 10 has scored twice. If he plays on Saturday, he will make a 75th appearance in the Montreal jersey.
Furthermore, the Impact’s next goal will be its 250th since the club joined MLS in 2012.
Head-to-head against the top dog in the West
Sporting Kansas City, with 25 points, currently lead the Western Conference after 15 games played. The team coached by Peter Vermes also has the best defensive record in the league, having conceded only 10 goals. The 2013 MLS Cup winners are also unbeaten at home, with six wins and one draw.
The Bleu-blanc-noir will need to be wary of striker Dom Dwyer: the American born in England has five goals in three games against Montreal. However, defenders Matt Besler and Graham Zusi, called up by the US national team, midfielder Roger Espinoza, with a back injury, and forward Soony Saad, on international leave with Lebanon, will miss out on Saturday night.
Upcoming games
The Impact will travel to the Sunshine State for a meeting with Orlando City SC, on Saturday, June 17, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690), before coming back home at Stade Saputo, on Wednesday, June 21, for the first leg of the Canadian Championship final against Toronto FC (RDS, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). Excellent tickets for this final, as well as prorated season tickets, are offered on impactmontreal.com.
