An opportunity has presented itself for the Montreal Impact. After suffering a fourth consecutive loss Saturday night, losing 2-1 to the Columbus Crew SC, the Impact plays again on Wednesday, in the second leg of the Canadian Championship quarterfinal, which takes place at 7:30pm at Stade Saputo (TICKETS – 98.5, TSN 690).
After tying the first leg 2-2, a win against York9 FC would not only put the Impact into the next round of the domestic competition, it would also set the tone for its next MLS game, an important matchup against the leaders in the East, the Philadelphia Union (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690).
“It’s always great to play quickly after a loss, in a competition that we really want to win,” said full-back Daniel Lovitz. “It’s a great opportunity for us to move forward, without necessarily forgetting what we’ve been through in these past few games.”
Yes, it’s been a tough stretch for Rémi Garde’s men, who still find themselves in fifth position in the Eastern Conference table, still in playoff position and in control of their own destiny heading into the final stretch of the season.
“It’s like a striker not scoring for a while; all you need is one,” added Lovitz. “After that, it feels like a million people get off your back and you’re ready to go. I don’t think any team looks at us and takes us lightly. When we’re playing our game, no one wants to play us, I can promise you that. I think we need to get back to that version of ourselves. It’s not something we have to reinvent. It’s just there.”
With two away goals scored in the first leg, it puts the Impact in good position heading into the return matchup against the Toronto suburbs representatives. A win, a 0-0 or a 1-1 draw would see the Impact qualify for the semifinals, where they’ll take on Cavalry FC, from Calgary, or the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
That being said, Rémi Garde’s men will be going for it on Wednesday night.
“We need to play to win,” said full-back Bacary Sagna. “We don’t have time to think about the first leg. There’s no time to think about the change in competition. We simply need to win. We need to try and win every game left. That’s how we’ll gain confidence. We respect them, of course, but we’re at home and we want to qualify for the next round.”
