The Boston representatives made a coaching change this week
For the second time in a little over three weeks, the Impact will take on the New England Revolution, this Saturday at 1pm, this time at Stade Saputo (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690). It’ll be the last regular-season game against the Boston representatives, as we’ve become used to facing them at season’s end in recent years. And let’s just say that this game’s timing isn’t ideal: just like in Montreal’s visit to Ohio last weekend, this Saturday’s opponent will have also undergone a coaching change, bringing in Bruce Arena, the former head coach of the LA Galaxy and the U.S. Men’s National Team notably, to captain the ship.
But the good news of the day is that the Designated Player, the magician, the sorcerer and our number 10, Nacho Piatti, will be named in the final 18 this weekend. Here at Impact Media, all we can do is cross our fingers, but we most definitely aren’t twiddling our thumbs: here are the three keys to vanquishing the Revs.
- An assured start
Goals conceded in the beginning of games have hurt the Impact, notably against NYCFC and in Cincinnati. We can expect the Revs to be quick off the mark in this one, motivated by the fact that there’ll be a new head coach to impress. Montreal will need to dictate the game’s rhythm in the first few minutes, preventing the visitors from settling in.
- Win duels on the flanks
The Revs don’t score much, but when they do, it’s by winning a duel on the wing or breaking lines down the flank. Normal, with the large figures of Teal Bunbury and Juan Agudelo roaming in the box and attracting defenders. If Montreal’s defenders and wingers can dominate this area of the pitch, the Impact should be okay.
- Score in the first half
The Impact hasn’t scored in the opening 45 since its win in Orlando on March 16…which was also Nacho Piatti’s last game, coincidentally. Could his probable return to the line-up Saturday mean Montreal will score in the first half?
