With the New York Red Bulls visiting the Montreal Impact this weekend, Impact Media has looked a few of the matchups that you should watch ahead of Saturday’s game.
NY: Cooper scores his 9th
Taming Cooper
The return to form of defender Nelson Rivas could not have come at a better time. The Colombian defender played his second MLS game last weekend, as he joined Matteo Ferrari in the centre of the Impact’s defensive line to play the star-studded Galaxy. This Saturday, they will have an equally daunting task as Kenny Cooper and his nine goals are coming to town.
The 6’3’’ and 210lbs player has been playing as the lone all-out striker since Henry’s injury, with midfielder Mehdi Bellouchy playing a supporting role just behind him. Although Cooper’s strength and size make him extremely hard to deal with, it may make Rivas’ and Ferrari’s job of keying in on him a little easier.
Stopping deliveries
For the Red Bulls to be effective, they will need delivery from the midfield. The Red Bulls midfield has been doing a decent job at setting up balls up front.
In their previous game, the Impact’s back-four was able to shore up the box against David Beckham and the LA Galaxy and limited their passes from the flanks in the air. Famous for picking out teammates in the box with precision, Beckham was limited to only four completed crosses on 15 attempts, with only three key passes on the game.
Nyassi punishes NY defence
Taking advantage of New York's defence
If the Impact bolsters one of the most experienced central defensive pairings in MLS, the opposite can be said for the Red Bulls.
With legal troubles following Wilman Conde, and injuries to other key players, Tyler Ruthven and Markus Holgersson are set to start on Saturday.
Although Holgersson has some experience playing pro in Sweden, he does not have the international pedigree of a Rivas or Ferrari, and his partner Ruthven, who played in the NASL last season, is raw at just 23 years of age.
Forwards Bernardo Corradi, 36, and captain Davy Arnaud, 31, will try to use their experience to their advantage on Saturday.
