Just over two weeks remain before the Montreal Impact supporters return to Stade Saputo on Saturday, April 15, at 3pm as Atlanta United FC take on the Bleu-blanc-noir – excellent tickets are still available on impactmontreal.com.
And because there’s no such thing as being ‘too prepared’, let’s get going: as an appetizer for the Impact’s game in Chicago this Saturday (3pm on TVA Sports, CTV, 985sports.ca & TSN Radio 690), you can check out Atlanta’s match at Seattle Sounders FC this Friday night at 10pm on TSN2. Here are suggestions of things to watch.
Squad depth
Head coach Tata Martino has a number of little issues to deal with. He has scored an MLS-best five goals, but Josef Martínez has picked up a quad injury that may keep him off the field for a month. Miguel Almirón has just returned from Brazil after playing two games with Paraguay. Kenwyne Jones has also made two appearances with Trinidad and Tobago during the international break.
If Almirón and Jones stay off the XI, who could jump in? Julian Gressel moving slightly up the field, just behind the forward? Yamil Asad as a false nine? Brandon Vazquez up top?
Efficiency in the final third
So far, so good for Josef Martínez, who has been a natural fit for the vertical play and constant movement that Martino is fond of. But the aforementioned players bring something different to the team, and adjustments will be needed.
Kenwyne Jones, most interestingly, looks like the polar opposite of Martínez, who’s been killing opposition backlines with his runs in behind, between the two centre backs. What Jones showed when he plied his trade for Southampton, Stoke, Cardiff, Bournemouth and another Premier League – for now – club is that he’s more of a target forward who’ll bring others into play and provide a presence in the penalty area, especially on crosses. How will that affect Atlanta’s play in the mid- or long-term?
Dealing with pace
In their last game, the Sounders created all sorts of problems for the New York Red Bulls with their pace. That’s how they took a 1-0 lead, releasing Jordan Morris into a one-on-one with Luis Robles, who tripped him and conceded a penalty. That’s how Joevin Jones saved a wild pass from going out of bounds and set up Morris’ winning goal. How will Atlanta react if the home team poses a similar challenge? Will it be an indication of what awaits Atlanta on April 15 against Piatti, Mancosu and Oduro?
