MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact will be playing its second game in five days, this Wednesday night at Stade Saputo, when it hosts D.C. United at 7:30pm EDT (TVA Sports [pregame show at 7pm], 98,5fm [pregame show at 6:30pm] & TSN Radio 690 [pregame show at 7pm]).
Excellent tickets for this game presented by BMO are still available on impactmontreal.com.
“Saturday’s game didn’t go the way we would have liked, but we will adjust accordingly,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “The group has been talking a lot about spirit and commitment, which is the basis to make our play successful. We’ve got to show the required dedication to give everything we have for this team; this is what I’m expecting on Wednesday night.”
The Impact advises supporters to get to Stade Saputo early and to use public transit. Pie-IX Blvd. will be partially closed in the northbound direction, from Pierre-de-Coubertin Ave. to Mont-Royal Ave., preventing vehicles from turning right on Sherbrooke East St. Traffic disruptions are also scheduled on Pierre-de-Coubertin Ave., between Viau St. and Pie-IX Blvd., until the end of the season.
Reaching Stade Saputo via Hochelaga St. in the westbound direction may also be complicated due to roadwork. The Impact recommends avoiding this section of Hochelaga St., driving north on L’Assomption Blvd., west on Sherbrooke St. and south on Viau St.
The renewal period for season tickets is open, and guests who have already renewed their membership for 2017 can mention it on social media with the hashtag #DerriereIMFC and visit the Members Corner, under section 126, where they will receive a Bleu-blanc-noir waterproof bag.
Please also take note of the full implementation of new security measures upon entering the stadium. All bags larger than 35 cm x 35 cm x 15 cm are prohibited. The full rules and regulations can be viewed on impactmontreal.com.
A perfect opportunity to bounce back
In spite of a 3-0 loss to Chicago, last Saturday, the Impact remains a strong contender in the Eastern Conference. The Bleu-blanc-noir is fifth in the Conference and still has at least one game in hand on all teams above.
“This is an opportunity to bounce back,” said Hassoun Camara. “We’re going to get back onto our feet. We want to learn from our previous game. Hard work pays off, and our common desire to achieve something together will keep us focused on our objective: winning on Wednesday.”
The Impact’s current two-game losing streak is its longest this season. The Bleu-blanc-noir has strived to react well after defeats, winning three times, losing twice and drawing once in such situations.
Full back Ambroise Oyongo will be available for selection again after serving an automatic one-game suspension on Saturday due to a red card in New Jersey on August 13.
United getting back on track
D.C. United took advantage of a four-game home stretch at RFK Stadium to rise to sixth in the East, five points behind Montreal. Unbeaten in its last four games, United had kicked this sequence off on July 31, when a 10-man Impact managed to leave Washington with a 1-1 tie.
“The last time in D.C. wasn’t one of our better performances, but we found a way to get a point in tough conditions,” said Evan Bush. “We know that D.C. is a tough, fighting group with a good team spirit. We have to be ready for them to sit deep and counter like many teams that come here.”
United’s attack found a catalyst in the newly arrived Patrick Mullins, formerly of New York City FC. Acquired on July 20, Mullins has tallied two goals and an assist in five games with the Black-and-Red.
The Impact’s record against D.C. United stands at 3-5-4 overall, or 3-2-1 in home games. United, in its most recent visit to Stade Saputo on September 26, 2015, saw Didier Drogba score twice in the first 15 minutes in a 2-0 Bleu-blanc-noir win.
Following games
The Impact’s next home game will take place on Wednesday, September 7, at 7:30pm against Orlando City SC (TVA Sports, TSN & TSN Radio 690). Excellent individual tickets are still available for this game on impactmontreal.com.
In the meantime, the Impact will travel to the banks of Lake Ontario to take on rivals Toronto FC at BMO Field on Saturday, August 27, at 7:30pm (RDS, TSN, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690).