Bleu-blanc-noir in the middle of playoff race
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact starts a run of four games in 12 days, this Saturday, as expansion club Minnesota United FC visits Stade Saputo for the first time in MLS (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690), a game presented by Videotron. Some tickets are still available on impactmontreal.com.
“This is another important game for us,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We need to take three points to continue our push towards the playoffs. We know that in this league, there are no easy games. We have to be ready to fight tomorrow against a tough opponent.”
The IMFC Summer is not over and Jacques Jacobus, formerly of Radio Radio, and Les 4Midables will be on stage from 5:30pm. Two-for-one deals on all drinks from 5pm to 6pm will also be offered.
The Impact recommends that supporters use public transit and get to the stadium early. Due to transformation work at the corner of Pie-IX Blvd. and Sherbrooke St., traffic delays may occur in the Olympic Park area, notably on Viau St., on Pierre-de-Coubertin Ave. and Notre-Dame St. E.
As usual, the MLS Bag Policy will be in effect. All backpacks, camera bags and large tote bags, as well as all bags bigger than 35 cm x 35 cm x 15 cm are prohibited.
Please also note that parking entrances have changed names since last season. Entrace PB is now called P5 (orange), while entrance PA has made way for entrances P1, P2 & P4 (yellow).
Bounce back at home
The Bleu-blanc-noir will try to put an end to a sequence of three losses in a row, an unfortunate run during which the team has only scored one goal.
“There have been many positive things last week, but the result did not come,” said defender Laurent Ciman. “This week at training, we worked on our basics while improving the intensity of play. We know it will be complicated, but we have to get as many points as possible. We have to stay alert. Our backs are against the wall and we have to react.”
With seven goals this season, Anthony Jackson-Hamel, who signed a new two-year deal with the club this week, is already the best Homegrown goal scorer in MLS club history.
First game between Impact and Minnesota since 2011
This first head-to-head in MLS against Minnesota United FC is a fixture that occurred in the USL some years ago: both clubs faced each other a few times in the second division, the last time being in August 2011. Montreal won that game 2-0. Evan Bush completed the shutout with two saves, while Hassoun Camara provided an assist.
If this is a first in Montreal for Adrian Heath’s men, the Impact will play its 100th regular season game since entering MLS.
Upcoming games
The Montreal Impact will continue this clogged sequence with a trip to the Queen City to face Toronto FC at BMO Field, on Wednesday, September 20, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, TSN, 985fmsports.ca, CJAD 800), before entering the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first time for a crucial meeting with Atlanta United FC, on Sunday, September 24, at 5pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, CJAD 800).
