WASHINGTON, D.C. – After two home games, the Montreal Impact returns on the road this week-end for its one and only visit to Washington’s RFK Stadium, home of D.C. United, this Sunday at 6:30pm EDT (TVA Sports [pregame show at 6pm], 98,5fm [pregame show at 6pm] & TSN Radio 690 [pregame show at 5:30pm]).
“We were very satisfied with our last game, but we have moved on,” said Montreal Impact assistant coach Jason Di Tullio. “We have kept working to ensure that our play is consistent. We are taking on a team with attacking players who like to stir things up in front of goal, and that’s well organized defensively. This will be a hard-fought game.”
Montreal’s attack first in the league
After its spectacular 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Union last Sunday at Stade Saputo, the Impact is posting the best offensive record in MLS, with 1.75 goals per game. Unsurprisingly, this is also the most productive the Impact has ever been in MLS 20 games into a season; the team had put 32 goals past its opponents at this point in 2013.
The Bleu-blanc-noir has also scored three goals or more in an MLS-best six of its 20 games. These feats have helped the Impact to a mere four-point deficit on Eastern Conference leader New York City FC, with two games in hand.
“This home win, which we needed, really perked us up,” said team captain Patrice Bernier. “We’re feeling confidence. We know that we’ve been doing well away from home, and we have to use this win to find some inspiration on the road and pick up points.”
With his contribution to Matteo Mancosu’s tally on Saturday night, Bernier picked up his 21st MLS assist, tying Justin Mapp for second in the Impact’s MLS history. The captain reached this milestone on his 86th MLS start, which is also good for second place – tied with Felipe – in club history.
The Impact will welcome back into the fold Didier Drogba, Laurent Ciman and Ignacio Piatti, who were in San Jose on Thursday night for the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game against English Premier League club Arsenal. Drogba built on his hat-trick against Philadelphia, scoring the All-Stars’ only goal of the game.
While Piatti didn’t score in San Jose, he remains a spark for the Montreal attack, as shown by his eight goals and three assists in his last nine games. Piatti still sits in second place for most goals scored in MLS this season, with 12 tallies, and he has scored an MLS-best three winning goals.
United looking for turnaround
Eighth-placed D.C. United has only won one of its last seven games. However, the recent acquisitions of winger Lloyd Sam from New York Red Bulls and forwards Patrick Mullins from NYCFC and Kennedy Igboananike from Chicago Fire, as well as some tweaks made by head coach Ben Olsen, give Black-and-Red supporters a reason to be hopeful.
Moreover, this game against the Impact will be the first of four straight fixtures at RFK Stadium, followed by United’s date with the Impact at Stade Saputo, on August 24.
“They are a very compact team that tries to be as solid and dense as possible,” said defender Hassoun Camara. “We must be patient, but more than anything, we have to look for a win over there. With our performance on Saturday, we have a desire to do well and to string some results together.”
The Impact has thus far posted a 3-5-3 record against D.C. United. The last game between the two sides, on September 26, 2015, saw Didier Drogba score two goals on his debut against United.
Centre back Bobby Boswell should be available for selection after missing last Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Toronto FC with strep throat – Boswell lost 13 pounds, according to the local media. Ben Olsen is also hopeful that goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who also missed that last game, will be fit. Defender Chris Korb (ACL), midfielder Collin Martin (foot) and forwards Chris Rolfe (concussion) and Alhaji Kamara (hamstring) are also unavailable.
Following games
The Impact will play an international friendly against A.S Roma on Wednesday, August 3, at 7:30pm at Stade Saputo. Members (season ticket holders) already have their tickets for this match, identified as the “Game to be determined”. Few tickets remain available on impactmontreal.com for this great event.
The next MLS game at Stade Saputo will be played on Saturday, August 6, against the Houston Dynamo (TVA Sports, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690). Excellent individual tickets are also still available for this game.
