COLUMBUS, Ohio – After nine days without a game, the Montreal Impact returns to MLS action this Saturday night in Columbus, taking on Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium at 7:30pm EDT (TVA Sports [pregame show at 7pm], 98,5fm [pregame show at 6:30pm] & TSN Radio 690 [pregame show at 7pm]).
This will be the third and last regular season game between these two teams this year. After defeating Crew SC by a 2-0 scoreline at the Olympic Stadium on April 9, the Impact showed character on May 7, overturning a 4-1 deficit in the second half to secure a wild 4-4 tie in Columbus.
“That was a peculiar game where we were down and then were able to show our offensive firepower,” said head coach Mauro Biello. “Now, we need to improve the defensive aspect, not give them much and continue with the offensive animations that we have, which bring us success. The team is eager to get back on the field.”
Impact only four points from the top
The Bleu-blanc-noir hasn’t played an MLS game since its stunning 3-2 win at the death against LA Galaxy, nearly three weeks ago. With its 5-4-4 record and its 19 points, the team sits third in the Eastern Conference, four points behind the Philadelphia Union with a game in hand.
“Columbus is a good team with the ball, and we know that they’ll have the ball,” said team captain Patrice Bernier. “But if we’re patient and focused, and if we press a little better, we’ll make it difficult for anybody to go by us. If we stay true to that, we’ll be able to come out with a result in Columbus.”
With his goal against LA, forward Didier Drogba has now scored in each of his last four games, tying Marco Di Vaio’s MLS record for goals in straight games. The all-time Impact record of five consecutive games with a goal was set by Grant Needham (1993) and matched by Lloyd Barker (1995). Drogba also established a team record for consecutive MLS games with a goal or an assist, with five. The all-time club record belongs to Nick De Santis (six straight games in 1997).
Several Montreal players could reach important milestones on Saturday. Goalkeeper Evan Bush is set to play his 60th MLS game with the Impact, while defender Hassoun Camara’s next start will be his 90th in MLS. Camara is also 81 minutes away from reaching 8,000 MLS minutes played. Midfielder Harry Shipp, for his part, could make his 80th MLS appearance.
Johan Venegas, who played at the Copa América Centenario with Costa Rica, rejoined his teammates in Montreal on Monday morning. Centre back Laurent Ciman, meanwhile, remains at Euro 2016 with the Belgium national team and was a starter against Italy on Monday afternoon. Ignacio Piatti (hand), Calum Mallace (foot), Donny Toia (hamstring) and Marco Donadel (ankle) are all unavailable for selection.
Crew SC looking for solutions
Ninth in the Eastern Conference, Gregg Berhalter’s Crew SC has only won one of its last six MLS games. However, Columbus did well in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup with its 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday night.
The May 7 game against the Impact ended up being Kei Kamara’s last with Crew SC. Traded to the New England Revolution, the forward was replaced by namesake Ola Kamara, who has scored four goals since the transaction. Kamara is questionable for this Saturday, however, due to a hamstring issue.
“We’ve done a lot of tactical work to implement a compact system,” said Wandrille Lefèvre. “We know that they are a team that goes forward and opens the play up. We want to stop that offensive system. The striker may have changed, but the challenge remains the same.”
Bad news came Crew SC’s way on Thursday as Federico Higuaín will miss the next five to seven weeks of action due to hernia surgery. Centre back Gastón Sauro (knee) remains unavailable until the end of the summer. Goalkeeper Matt Pacifici and midfielder Ben Swanson are out for this Saturday’s game due to injury, while defender Tyson Wahl, midfielders Mohhamed Saeid and Cedrick Mabwati, as well as forward Conor Casey are questionable.
Following game
The Impact will be back at Stade Saputo on Saturday, June 25, against Sporting Kansas City at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690). Excellent individual tickets for that game are still available on impactmontreal.com.
