Three crucial points on the road
A second win in a row could not have come at a better time for the Impact: with this 1-0 triumph on Orlando City SC’s patch on Sunday afternoon in torrid conditions, the Bleu-blanc-noir squad not only eliminated the Lions from MLS Cup Playoffs contention, but also greatly enhanced its chances of getting a berth in the fall tournament. The three points allowed Mauro Biello and his players to overtake Philadelphia in fourth place and also stay ahead of their closest pursuers, who have all won this weekend.
The Impact’s magic number is now two. A win or two draws in the remaining two regular season games against Toronto FC at home – tickets are still available here – or in Foxborough against New England Revolution, IMFC would ensure a top six finish in the Eastern Conference.
Currently sitting one point ahead of D.C. United and two in front of Philadelphia Union, the Bleu-blanc-noir is involved in a tight race for the knockout game home field advantage. However, the Impact holds its destiny in its hands after winning back-to-back games for the first time since April.
The team’s away form this season has certainly contributed to this favourable standing: the 2016 edition set a new record for road points with 19 (4-5-7), with one more game to play outside Montreal. “I think my team has played very well on the road and we have been in every game on the road,” said head coach Mauro Biello. “Now it’s two in a row. We need continue to grow as a team and get into the playoffs and bring that rhythm.”
Remaining games for teams in the hunt
D.C. United (5th, one point back): October 16 v. NYCFC, October 23 at Orlando City SC
Philadelphia Union (6th, two points back): October 16 v. Orlando City SC, October 23 v. New York Red Bulls
New England Revolution (7th, five points back): October 16 at Chicago, October 23 v. Montreal Impact
Columbus Crew (8th, nine points back): October 13 at Chicago, October 16 at New York Red Bulls, October 23 at NYCFC
<strong>POS</strong> |
<strong>CLUB</strong> |
<strong>PTS</strong> |
<strong>GAMES LEFT*</strong> |
<strong>W</strong> |
<strong>L</strong> |
<strong>T</strong> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">3</p> |
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">TOR</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">49</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">2 (1)</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">13</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">9</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">10</p> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<strong>MTL</strong> |
<strong>44</strong> |
<strong>2 (1)</strong> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<strong>10</strong> |
<strong>11</strong> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">5</p> |
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">DC</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">43</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">2 (1)</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">10</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">9</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">13</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">6</p> |
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">PHI</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">42</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">2 (1)</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">11</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">12</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">9</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">7</p> |
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">NE</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">39</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">2 (1)</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">10</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">13</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">9</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">8</p> |
<p style="margin: 1em 0px;">CLB</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">35</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">3 (0)</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">8</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">12</p> |
<p align="center" style="margin: 1em 0px;">11</p> |
*Home games in between brackets. First tiebreaker is number of wins, second tiebreaker is goal differential, third tiebreaker is goals scored.
