The Bleu-blanc-noir has won two of its last three games
ORLANDO, Florida – In a 10-day interval, the Bleu-blanc-noir will complete a home-and-away series against the Lions, this Saturday at 7:30pm, at Orlando City Stadium (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690).
“I think that in the run of play, we always had a lot of chances or situations where we could’ve scored, but for different reasons, we weren’t able to,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “I want to see more efficiency. It’s also what we try working on in training.”
Finish the first half of the season on a high note
This will be the Bleu-blanc-noir’s 17th game of the season in MLS and will mark the end of the first half of the schedule. The Impact is still in the playoff race, just four points away from this weekend’s opponent.
“That’s MLS,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “It’s been like that every year. We benefitted from it at times, and we’ve been a victim of it as well. It’s my responsibility as someone who’s been in this league for a long time to always communicate that message, that we’re never out of it. It’s important for us to continue on, knowing that if we go on a little run, and the teams in front of us go on a poor run, we’ll be right there.”
Montreal’s play in recent weeks is encouraging for its supporters. In its last eight games, the Bleu-blanc-noir has allowed just 10 goals and is currently on a 162-minute streak without allowing a goal; on its end, Orlando has conceded 19 goals in eight games and has lost its last six meetings. This defensive record is no doubt one of the main reasons for head coach Jason Kreis’ dismissal, after the Impact’s 3-0 win on June 13.
The Lions, led on an interim basis by assistant coach Bobby Murphy, are coming off a longer than usual matchup in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Wednesday night in Maryland against D.C. United: the quarterfinal had to be settled in penalties, and was eventually won by the Floridians.
Against Orlando, the Impact has a positive record of four wins, three losses and two draws. In eight games against Orlando in his career, Nacho Piatti has seven goals and an assist.
“We’re approaching this game in the usual way and we’re training the same way as well,” said midfielder Nacho Piatti. “I know Orlando played on Wednesday night, but we’re only thinking about Saturday. It’ll be a difficult game. They changed coaches and they’ll want to win at home. We hope to get the win in Florida as well, and then come back home for two games at Stade Saputo.”
Upcoming games
The Bleu-blanc-noir will be back home to host Sporting Kansas City at Stade Saputo on Saturday, June 30 at 7pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690), the last game in which Nutrilait’s 2-for-1 special on tickets for children will be in place. Then, the Colorado Rapids will be the visitors on July 7 at 7:30pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690), for the first game of Members’ Month, which allows season ticket holders to profit from a bunch of additional advantages.
