ORLANDO, Florida – The Montreal Impact is in Florida to take on Orlando City FC, this Saturday at 7:30pm EDT at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium (RDS [pregame show at 7pm], TSN, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690 [pregame show at 6:30pm]).
Ahead of this first game of the season between the two teams, the club invites supporters to its IMFC Live viewing party at La Cage – Place Versailles, at 7275, rue Sherbrooke E. A FIFA 16 tournament, door prizes and promotions will be part of the event, starting at 5pm
“With the parity in this league, we have to be ready for every game and try to accumulate as many points as we can,” said head coach Mauro Biello. “We feel the same about every opponent: they all pose a different problem. In the end, it’s about getting results, and it’s up to us to figure out ways to create space and unbalance the opponent.”
Impact looking for third road win
Undefeated on the road since April 2, the Impact (4-3-4, 16 pts) will be shooting for a third win away from home this season. The team’s last three road outings yielded one win and two ties, with goals in second-half stoppage-time in all three games.
“We know that this will be a very difficult game,” said midfielder Lucas Ontivero. “We have to play as we’ve shown we can play. The ball moves quickly on Orlando’s field. We’ll have 90 minutes to get forward and look for goals. We’re the kind of team that can do this.”
Forward Dominic Oduro is enjoying playing on opposition fields. In six games, five as a starter, Oduro has scored three goals – including one in his only appearance as a substitute, in New York – and four assists. Oduro also scored two goals in three games against Orlando last season.
The Impact has only played once at Orlando’s stadium. On October 3, 2015, a Seb Hines goal lifted Orlando to a 2-1 win over Montreal, ensuring that the team would remain in the running for an MLS Cup Playoffs spot. But the Impact kept their cool on the long run and climbed to third in the Eastern Conference, while the Lions finished the season with a five-point deficit on the sixth and last playoff spot.
Tied for first in the Eastern Conference with 18 goals scored, the Impact remains undefeated when scoring and will reach 200 MLS goals scored on its next tally.
Orlando hoping for a return to form
After a four-game undefeated run to start, Orlando City SC (2-3-5, 11 pts) just dropped 15 of the last 18 available points – three ties and three defeats. However, the Lions haven’t lost at home; they’ve won one and drawn four at Camping World Stadium.
“We’ll definitely have something to prove,” said midfielder Kyle Bekker. “It’s a big game against an opponent from our conference. Our focus is on us trying to get three points. We don’t really worry about what’s going on, on their side. It’s about us.”
Still led by the formidable force that is Brazilian midfielder Kaká, Orlando City SC has scored 17 goals in 10 games this season. Trinidadian international midfielder Kevin Molino and Canadian international forward Cyle Larin are Orlando’s top scorers, with four goals.
Forward Pedro Ribeiro, who scored against the Impact at Olympic Stadium last season, will be unavailable for selection by head coach Adrian Heath; he underwent back surgery and will miss several weeks of action. Midfielder Darwin Cerén sustained a high ankle sprain last Sunday and could be out for a month-and-a-half. Defender Seb Hines is struggling with a knee issue and could miss Saturday’s game.
Following game
The LA Galaxy will be the visitors for the following home game, on Saturday, May 28, at 8pm EDT (RDS, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690). The Impact would like to remind supporters that this game has been rescheduled from Sunday, May 29, and that all tickets dated May 29 for this game will be valid at all Stade Saputo entrances on May 28. Excellent individual tickets, as well as season tickets and Pick-4-Packs, are still available on impactmontreal.com.
