MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact will underline its quarter-century, this Monday at 3pm, when it takes on the LA Galaxy for the 25th anniversary commemorative game. Monday’s sold-out matchup will be exactly 25 years to the day since the Bleu-blanc-noir’s first game in Montreal, a 4-2 victory over the 4-2 Tampa Bay Rowdies.
“We had a good week of work and I thought the players were very focused,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “We underwent a video analysis I presented them where we focused on everything that was insufficient in our game. We discussed it. I felt that during the week, certain players were affected by the game we played, while looking ahead to this week’s game.”
IMFC Summer will be once again happening in the stadium’s corridors from the second the doors open, at 1pm. A 2-for-1 special on all drinks will be in place until 2pm and a DJ, along with an animator, will set the atmosphere. Also, by arriving early, supporters can take advantage of many activities offered by our partners.
The MLS bag policy will be enforced during this game. Also, backpacks, camera bags, and large tote bags, as well as any bag larger than 35cm x 35cm x 15cm will not be allowed into the stadium.
Also note that traffic is expected in the Sherbrooke/Pie-IX/Pierre-de-Coubertin/Viau area. The Impact strongly suggests using public transportation to reach Stade Saputo and getting off at Viau metro station. Drivers are welcome to use P1 parking on Pierre-de-Coubertin, P3 on Pie-IX, and P4 on Sherbrooke.
Opportunity to move up in the standings
This historic game represents a challenge and an opportunity for the Bleu-blanc-noir. Sigi Schmid’s team has lost its last four games, two on the road and two at home, at StubHub Center, despite Zlatan’s arrival to the club on March 23, 2018.
“We need to be much better with the ball,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “If we give away easy passes, turn the ball over, and if we’re lazy in possession, teams can hurt us. Philadelphia was able to do that, and with the attacking group that the Galaxy has, they’ll certainly be able to do that. We need to be more confident on the ball, and I think that will alleviate some of the issues we’re having in defense.”
In two games at Stade Saputo against the Californians, the Impact has a record of one win and one draw. The first ever game between the two clubs had been played at Olympic Stadium in 2012, in front of a record crowd at the time, and finished in a 1-1 draw.
The Galaxy will have to cope without a few key pieces. The Dos Santos brothers are both out injured, while Ashley Cole is suspended.
Find offensive balance
Shutout in its last two games, the Bleu-blanc-noir will need to find the back of the net quickly to gain confidence in its ability in front of goal. For this, no one is better suited than Nacho Piatti to ignite Montreal’s offense: the Argentine number 10 has participated in every Impact goal at home since the beginning of the season, earning four goals and four assists.
“We are very motivated,” said midfielder Nacho Piatti. “We’re playing at home and we need to move up in the standings to make the playoffs. We can’t drop points here at home. It’s a big game for all of us.”
Upcoming games
The Impact will play in Minneapolis for the first time in MLS when it faces Minnesota United FC on Saturday, May 26 at 8pm EDT (TVA Sports, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). The Bleu-blanc-noir will then be back home on Saturday, June 2, at 7:30pm for a game against the Houston Dynamo (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690).
