New York has won its last two games
Red Bull Arena isn’t exactly the Impact’s favourite place to play: in nine regular season games, Montreal has never returned with a point. The bright side is that the Impact has never been this good on the road to start the season: the next pointed earned away from home will establish a club record, with just eight games played on the road thus far. The Impact has gone 123 minutes without conceding a goal on the road, shutting out its opponent in three of the last four games in away stadiums. But it’ll all mean nothing when we kick things off in New Jersey, Wednesday at 8pm (TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690).
We already know that Nacho Piatti won’t be available for this one due to a muscular discomfort – stemming from the injury suffered in Orlando – but which doesn’t seem too serious. Montreal will have to once again demonstrate extreme defensive solidarity if it hopes to take all three points from an Eastern Conference rival, who, despite a slow start to the season, aspires to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs, if not more. Here are three ways to tame the bulls.
Start confidently
In the last two games in Montreal, the Impact allowed its opponents to create danger in its box in the first 10 minutes. Although Chicago didn’t make it count, New York City FC certainly did. It’ll be important for Rémi Garde’s men to quickly find their game, quashing any chance the Red Bulls have of starting the game confidently by giving them nothing in the first quarter-hour.
Keep the opponent off the scoresheet
Since the Impact’s win in Orlando, whenever the team concedes a goal, it loses. Yes, the Red Bulls scored three times on Saturday against the Galaxy in an offensive affair, but striker Bradley Wright-Philips remains uncertain for Montreal’s visit to New Jersey. The visitors' left side will be tested, however, as Chris Armas’ men love getting to the byline and sending in low crosses.
Manage opposing pressure
As their name suggests, the Red Bulls play a high-intensity, aggressive game, that prioritizes pressing high up the field. It’s a risky tactic, but one that could pay off. The risk is that if the Impact eliminates this first wave of pressure, it could launch a counter-attack, which Montreal is particularly good at. Rémi Garde’s troops will need to move the ball around quickly to make the most out of the spaces left vacant by New York.
