Focus at a high after big win in Philadelphia
The Montreal Impact is a well-oiled machine at the moment. Despite huge back-to-back wins against the New York Red Bulls and the Philadelphia Union, the team is already focused on this Saturday’s matchup against David Villa and New York City FC at Stade Saputo.
With five games to go, there’s absolutely no room for error now.
“We won this game and we’re getting closer to what we want to accomplish, but there are still very important games to play,” said head coach Rémi Garde. “The one against New York will obviously be very important. I hope we’ll have a full stadium, with supporters who are happy with what we’re achieving. We’ll need them, because New York is a good team.”
A big win in Philadelphia, combined with D.C. United and New England both dropping points, means that the Impact is in a good situation heading into the final five games. With 39 points and in the sixth and final playoff spot, Montreal is four points ahead of its nearest chaser, D.C. United, and only one small point away from the Union and the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
But the Bleu-blanc-noir players aren’t focusing on what’s going on around them, knowing full well that they hold their destiny in their own hands.
“My focus is on us, so that we can be at the maximum of our abilities,” said defender Rod Fanni. “When we focus on our strengths, we have a better chance of winning games. We control our destiny, so why look to the left or right when all we have to do is look at ourselves. We know that we can beat any team.”
Montreal took full advantage of its strengths last Saturday in Philadelphia, keeping the game in front of them by being organized and rigorous defensively, and hurting the Union through lightning quick counter-attacks, like the one that allowed Alejandro Silva and Nacho Piatti to run the field and score Impact’s fourth goal.
For head coach Rémi Garde, that’s the game plan the team needs to stick to if it wants to keep this good sequence going.
“If we stay humble, focused, we continue to work, and we respect everything we’ve put into place, there’s no reason for this not to continue.”
