Two hot teams go head to head
After the Sasquatch, Tom Brady. The Impact heads to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to face the New England Revolution, this Friday night at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). As we know, this enormous stadium can be hostile, and not only for NFL teams: the synthetic pitch complicates things, just like the stadium’s configuration, which allows the wind to heavily involve itself in the game. And if past matchups between the Revs and the Bleu-blanc-noir were split evenly – seven victories on each side, and two draws – and always a tight affair, New England has made numerous changes after missing the MLS Cup playoffs last year. Brad Friedel is the new head coach and newcomer Cristian Penilla is on an upward trend since his arrival in North America. Here are the three keys to the game against Boston’s representatives.
1. Continue to make defense the focal point
The excellent collective effort off the ball allowed the Impact to shutout two of the league’s more dangerous offenses in Toronto and Seattle, the finalists in the last two editions of the MLS Cup. Friday’s hosts shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially after they travelled to Houston, a city where visitors rarely find success, and left unscathed with three points. The Revs are actually unbeaten in their last three games, including two victories. Kei Kamara’s departure seems to have had no effect.
2. Remain balanced
The Bleu-blanc-noir will have to play a calculated game at Gillette Stadium. New England’s quickness in attack can be deadly on the counter; any space too big behind the defense is quickly exploited by Freidel’s proteges. It would be unusual for the Impact to let that happen these days: Evan Bush had no saves to make in the first half against Seattle and faced no shots from inside the box in the first 45 against Toronto.
3. Limit fouls on the edge of the box
The Revs are dangerous off direct set pieces. They’ve already beaten the Colorado Rapids thanks to a set piece scored in the last second, on top of having hit the post last week in Texas. To give Evan Bush a chance, the Impact will have to be careful when New England’s forwards dribble from within 20 metres of Montreal’s net.
