How can the Impact get out of its slump?
As in any season, for any professional sports team, there are ups and downs. For the Impact, things have been more difficult as of late. The team has lost four consecutive games, although just one by more than a one-goal margin – and it was scored in second-half stoppage time.
It’s a frustrating way to lose, but Rémi Garde’s men know what they have to do to right the ship. Through their nine wins in 2019, not once did they concede twice. If the Impact wants to get back to its winning ways, finding the defensive soundness it showed in the first part of the season will be vital.
“We get results when we stick to our principles,” said midfielder Shamit Shome. “It’s efficient and we do well with it. It could be frustrating that it’s not going our way right now, but look at San Jose. They were bad the first 10 games, but now they’ve turned it around because they stuck to their principles. What we do best is keep our block dense and tight, while hurting teams on the counter and being dangerous on the wings.”
It’s a recipe that’s worked well for the Impact, allowing the group to find success through a difficult start to the season that included a large number of away games, many injuries, and a condensed schedule. Excluding the game against Sporting Kansas City, the Impact has conceded just four goals through its first seven games. Through this four-game losing streak, Montreal has allowed nine goals.
“For us, it’s about getting back to that and finding it again within ourselves,” added Shome. “For that to happen, the team has to come together collectively so that we can feed off each other’s confidence. It’s hard if we focus just on ourselves.”
Still, Montreal can rejoice in the fact that it still finds itself in good position. Sixth in the Eastern Conference and in playoff position, the Impact is just nine points away from the Philadelphia Union, first in the East and the Impact’s following opponent, this Saturday at 8pm at Stade Saputo (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690).
“There are still 11 games left,” said Shome. “And the way the league works, if you win a few games in a row, we can turn the ship around and we’re looking at the top of the standings. We’re not far off. We’re still competing and fighting to be in the playoffs, of course.”
