The Montreal Impact may be on the outside looking in to a playoff spot right now, but the team’s recent success has it closing in on more than just the post season, but a few milestones as well.
First Canadian side to win 11 games
With Saturday’s 3-1 win over San Jose, the Impact has become the first Canadian side to ever hit the 11-win plateau in Major League Soccer, surpassing the 10 victories Toronto FC picked up in 2009, and the 10 Vancouver has matched so far this season.
HIGHLIGHTS: MTL 3, SJ 1
The Impact is also one victory shy of the top win totals for expansion teams in the new expansion era of MLS (since 2005), following the contraction of the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Miami Fusion. Seattle managed 12 victories in 2009.
Goals, goals and goals
The onze montrealais have scored 39 goals this season, one shy of the record for an expansion team (since 2005) that was set last year by the Portland Timbers (40), with seven games left to play.
The 39 goals the team has scored is the second best total in the Eastern Conference, behind only the offensive juggernaut Red Bulls. Only the LA Galaxy (44) and the San Jose Earthquakes (48) have scored more goals in the league in 2012.
It’s good to be home
The friendly confines of Stade Saputo have helped propel the home team to a record of 9-3-2, which is tied for first place in the entire league for home wins with Real Salt Lake and the New York Red Bulls.
The current home winning streak of five games is the third highest in MLS this season, with D.C. United winning seven (from April 22 to August 4) and Real Salt Lake with five wins (from April 4 to May 26 ).
Top 10
The Impact is the only MLS team in the top 10 in every team statistical category: 4th in goals (39), 4th in assists (38), 3rd in shots (354), 4th in shots on goal (118), 5th in times blanked (4), 3rd in fouls committed (340), 4th in fouls suffered (323), 1st in offsides (86), 6th in corners (121) and 3rd in cautions (47).
WATCH: Felipe's golaço vs PHI
Finishing in the top five in the conference may be a tough task for the Impact this season, with all the games the team has already played, but in a season of MLS milestones for a first year team, the Impact has already shown what it’s made of, which bodes well for a final playoff push.
On Saturday, the home team will look to extend some of its own streaks, by making it five consecutive wins against D.C. United.
