Foxborough, Massachusetts – With an MLS Cup Playoffs berth in the bag, the Montreal Impact is now working on hosting a Knockout Round game at Stade Saputo. The Bleu-blanc-noir will be settled this Sunday, after it takes on the New England Revolution at 4pm at Gillette Stadium (TVA Sports [pregame show at 3:30pm], 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690 [pregame show at 3pm]) for MLS Decision Day 2016.
To reach fourth place in the Eastern Conference, synonymous with a home Knockout Round game against the fifth seed, the Impact must beat the Revolution and hope that D.C. United will tie or lose at Orlando. Should this be the case, Montreal would play United at Stade Saputo on Wednesday, October 26 or Thursday, October 27 (time TBC).
“We’re playing on Sunday and then in midweek, so we’ll have to manage some things,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We’ll have to keep some freshness and avoid taking certain risks ahead of the Knockout Round game. The Revolution will want to please its crowd and give itself a chance for a playoff spot, but it’s our job to capitalize on the opportunities that we get.”
Bleu-blanc-noir already setting records this season
Undefeated in its last three outings, the Impact could beat its MLS single-season goals scored record this Sunday. The current team has scored 49 goals, one shy of the 50 tallies from the 2013 season. The Bleu-blanc-noir has, however, already set a new club record for single-season defeats, as it has only suffered 10 losses in 2016 with one fixture left. The 2013 team had lost 12 matches.
“We’ve wanted to make the playoffs all season, and now, we have to win for a chance to play at home,” said Nacho Piatti. “We’ll do our job at New England and hope for good results elsewhere. We’re going there to win and then host a Knockout Round game at Stade Saputo.”
With playoffs in the team’s sights, Nacho Piatti made highlights last weekend with a brace against Toronto FC – his second goal earned him his fifth AT&T MLS Goal of the Week nod this season. Piatti has scored the second-most road goals in MLS this season and stands third in the scoring charts with 17 goals – five of which were game-winning goals, good for third-best in the league. Piatti’s second goal against TFC was his 30th career tally for the Impact. He only trails the club’s all-time MLS scoring leader, Marco Di Vaio, by four goals.
A starter for five of the Impact’s last six games, team captain Patrice Bernier could make his 162nd start for the club (in both MLS and second division play) on Sunday. He would then crack the top five – level with Patrick Leduc – for career starts with the Impact. The all-time leader in that category is current head coach Mauro Biello, who started 273 of his 344 games for the club.
Mathematical hopes for the Revs
The seventh-placed New England Revolution faces improbable odds in its quest for an MLS Cup Playoffs berth. The Revs could still clinch sixth place in the Eastern Conference and a playoff spot with a win against Montreal and a Philadelphia home loss against the New York Red Bulls. But they also have to make up for a 12-goal deficit against the Union on goal difference (currently minus-1 v. minus-13).
“The Revs still have a chance to make playoffs,” said team captain Patrice Bernier. “They have to score goals, so they’ll have to play a really offensive game. We have a very solid tram in transition, and New England like to play with the ball. It’s up to us to take advantage of those spaces.”
The Impact holds its best road record at Gillette Stadium. The Bleu-blanc-noir has won three, lost one and drawn one in Foxborough, scoring seven goals and conceding only four. The Impact could use this opportunity to improve its single-season record for goals allowed on the road. The 2016 edition has only conceded 21 goals, while the record stands at 27.
Many Bleu-blanc-noir players have directly contributed to at least three goals against the Revs over the course of their career: Dominic Oduro (4 goals, 3 assists), Patrice Bernier (3G-0A), Didier Drogba (2G-1A), Nacho Piatti (2G-1A), Harry Shipp (1G-2A) and Hassoun Camara (0G-3A).
Following game
The Impact will enter the MLS Cup Playoffs at the Knockout Round stage on Wednesday, October 26, or on Thursday, October 27 (time TBC). Impact supporters can also visit impactmontreal.com for all details on playoff tickets.
