Impact aiming for continuity in results and performance
The Impact is in the middle of a busy week. After Saturday’s victory against the New England Revolution at Stade Saputo, the Bleu-blanc-noir hits the road for Chicago, where the Fire awaits at Toyota Park, Wednesday night at 8:30 EDT (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). The Philadelphia Union will then pay Stade Saputo a visit on Saturday at 3pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, CTV, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690).
This type of congestion in the schedule offers reserve players key opportunities and presents a challenge to the coaching staff led by Rémi Garde. Rotation will surely be inevitable to maintain a level of freshness in the starting 11. The only question: on which part of the field will we see the freshest faces? In defense, Rod Fanni, who hasn’t played since April 14 in New York, can possibly make a return, and Rudy Camacho as well. Michael Petrasso is also available in the right-back position. In midfield, after starting every game this season, Ken Krolicki was rested for Saturday’s contest. Up front, Matteo Mancosu, who played a few minutes in the last two games at Stade Saputo, is also an option. But no matter the faces on the field, here are the three keys to the game at Toyota Park.
- Keep an eye on Schweinsteiger
The Weltmeister, despite his grey hair, is still an extremely talented midfielder that does pretty much everything: he recuperates, orients the attack, gets things started from the back, makes assists and scores goals. The Impact will have to limit the spaces around him when he has the ball and pressure his teammates when he doesn’t have the ball in order to keep the German menace at bay.
- Maintain defensive animations
In its last two games, the Impact didn’t concede a goal before the 70th minute. These are excellent foundations for the game in Chicago: the Bleu-blanc-noir is confident without the ball and the balance in defense is almost perfect. The opponent has few opportunities down the middle and must try circling around the block. Especially away from home, these types of performances are essential to bringing back points.
- Finish the game well
Although not conceding a goal before the 70th minute is great, it’s now time to maintain that pace throughout the entire game. We don’t score four goals in every game, and the backline needs to hold better when the team’s offense isn’t rolling at 100 miles per hour. It’s time for the Impact to prove that they have what it takes in its reservoir and mentally to give the opponent nothing at the end of games.
