Impact has five clean sheets in last six games
Montreal woke up this morning with a team in first place of its Conference. The Impact, with 17 points in 10 games, including eight on the road and seven without talisman and warlock Nacho Piatti, is tied for first in the East with D.C. United. Rémi Garde’s men have already taken as many points on the road as they did in the whole of last season and are proving the old sports cliché right: that the offense might win games, but it’s the defense that wins championships. While 14 goals against in 10 games is not an impressive stat by itself, let’s not forget that 10 of those goals came in Kansas City and in Philadelphia. In its last six games, the Impact has five clean sheets.
With its Designated Player and top goal scorer in MLS history out injured, the Impact was able to use its collective strength and the tactical principles taught by Garde. Many young players earned minutes and starts since the beginning of the season and two of them, Shamit Shome and Omar Browne, opened their goal scoring accounts in MLS. Against Chicago, the Montreal squad was able to set up its possession play, and other than a dangerous chance conceded in the game’s early minutes, it controlled the rhythm. In the end, it was an individual exploit from Panamanian newcomer Browne that gave the Impact three points, while there is light at the end of the tunnel: Piatti could make his return for the game against New York City FC at Stade Saputo, on Saturday, May 4 at 5pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690). Until then, here are your advanced stats.
Saphir Taïder: 2 shots, 1 on target, 53 passes completed, including 15 in the final third, for an 87% success rate, 4 chances created, 1 cross completed, 1 dribble completed, 3 duels won, 1 interception, 1 clearance, 10 recoveries, 76 touches.
Omar Browne: 1 goal, 1 shot, 11 passes completed, including 6 in the final third, for a 58% success rate, 2 chances created, 1 cross completed, 4 dribbles completed, 6 duels won, 1 interception, 1 recovery, 37 touches.
Bacary Sagna: 1 shot on target, 35 passes completed, including 9 in the final third, for a 70% success rate, 2 dribbles completed, 9 duels won, 4 aerial duels won, 1 tackle won, 3 interceptions, 5 recoveries, 75 touches.
Samuel Piette: 1 shot, 33 passes completed, including 11 in the final third, for a 70% success rate, 1 dribble completed, 7 duels won, 5 aerial duels won, 3 interceptions, 1 clearance, 14 recoveries, 57 touches.
