Game will be played in front of sold-out crowd of 20,801 supporters
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact continues its run to the MLS Cup playoffs, this Saturday at 7:30pm, by taking on New York City FC at Stade Saputo. The game will be broadcast on TVA Sports.
“The last game we played against them wasn’t that long ago,” said head coach Rémi Garde. “Things have changed on both sides. When we went there, Patrick Vieira had just left the club. Since then, both clubs have come a long way. They have the same players at their disposal, which isn’t exactly our case. We’re preparing ourselves based on what we’ve just accomplished, but on what they’ve done as well.”
Despite the arrival of the month of September, IMFC Summer will once again shine bright in the stadium’s corridors, from the second the doors open at 5:30pm. The 2-for-1 special on all drinks will be in place until 6:30pm, and a DJ, accompanied by a host, will set the atmosphere. Also, by arriving early, supporters can take advantage of a plethora of activities offered by our partners, and you can try your luck against LyesMTL, the Impact’s eSports player, in a game of FIFA on PS4 in the BMO Celebration Zone.
The MLS bag policy will be in place for this game. Backpacks, camera bags, and big tote bags, as well as any bag larger than 35cm x 35cm x 15cm will not be accepted inside the stadium.
Also, please note that more traffic than usual is expected in the Sherbrooke/Pie-IX/Pierre-de-Coubertin/Viau area. The Impact strongly suggests using public transportation to get to the stadium (exit Viau) and to arrive early. Drivers are welcome to use P1 parking lot, on Pierre-de-Coubertin, P3 on Pie-IX, and P4 on Sherbrooke.
Bleu-blanc-noir connecting well
Montreal’s starting 11 has found a formula that works during its last two games, beating the New York Red Bulls 3-0 at Stade Saputo in the beginning of September, before winning 4-1 in Philadelphia. The team’s offense has been bountiful as of late, thanks to goals from defenders Rod Fanni and Bacary Sagna, midfielders Saphir Taïder, Alejandro Silva and Nacho Piatti, and striker Quincy Amarikwa.
“We’re taking these remaining games one at a time,” said defender Bacary Sagna. “There’s no point in looking too far down the road. We know we have to keep winning, or at least take the maximum amount of points possible to make sure we qualify for the playoffs. Doing so by winning is better, because it gives the group a certain confidence, the same level of confidence we have right now, with which we approach games. Defensively, we’re solid, and it all starts with our forwards putting in the work. After, we always manage to create chances. If we stay strong defensively and keep creating the same opportunities, it’s good for morale.”
In other news, Nacho Piatti beat a club record in MLS with three assists in an away game, last week in Philadelphia. His three assists bring the Argentine’s total to 12 on the season, another Bleu-blanc-noir record in MLS. He is only one assist away from equalling the Impact’s all-time record, held by Mauro Biello.
Showing their worth
Montreal will still remember that sour 3-0 defeat at Yankee Stadium in July, which came in the middle of a sequence of six wins in eight games. If revenge is a dish best served cold, the Impact will still have to be wary of an opponent it hasn’t had much success against, like the 1-5-2 record since 2015 goes to show.
“In the last game against them, we got disorganized after conceding the first goal,” said midfielder Saphir Taïder. “We wanted to score as well, but we conceded a second. What we were lacking was maybe the maturity that we didn’t have in the past, but which we found in our last game. If there’s one thing to improve, it’s that. After that, we’re going to be in front of our supporters, so it’s on us to push ourselves and give it our all. We want to win this game and get closer to the playoffs.”
A difficult stretch for the Citizens
Since Patrick Vieira left the club, we’ve seen a different New York City FC under former assistant coach at Manchester City, Domènec Torrent. The Catalan kicked things off on the right foot with five wins in his six first games, but has followed that up with just one win in the club’s last eight games.
This sequence oddly coincides with David Villa’s return to the lineup, who nonetheless has 11 goals in 19 games played this season. At 36 years old, the Spaniard remains NYCFC’s go to striker.
A few key pieces will be forced to miss this game for the visitors: Yangel Herrera suffered an ankle injury, Jesus Medina has a hamstring issue, and Jo Inge Berget has an abductor injury.
Upcoming games
The Impact will visit Washington on Saturday, September 29, to take on D.C. United at Audi Field (TVA Sports) in a crucial game for the run to the MLS Cup playoffs, before coming back to Stade Saputo to host the Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, October 6 at 3pm (TICKETS - TVA Sports, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690).
