Last preseason game for the Bleu-blanc-noir
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – The Montreal Impact will bring an end to its 2019 training camp, this Saturday at 7pm, when it takes on D.C. United at Al Lang Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on impactmontreal.com.
“We’re finishing our fifth week of training camp,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “We are where we wanted to be at this moment, but nothing can replace competition. We can try to reproduce the same situations we see in a league game, but we can’t recreate the same psychological context. I think we’re already at a good point and we’ll be even further ahead after facing D.C. United.”
Final test before the regular season
This game against D.C. United will be the team’s final matchup before the start of the regular season next Saturday. We can therefore expect to see a starting 11 which should resemble the one the head coach will use in California to kick off the MLS schedule.
The Impact is unbeaten in preseason play this year, with a record of two wins and two draws, having conceded just one goal. This stingy defense should benefit the Bleu-blanc-noir, who will play eight of its first nine games on the road.
“We’re not at 100% yet, but everyone is getting there little by little,” said midfielder Saphir Taïder. “Our preseason games went well for the entire group and everyone had some playing time. We need to approach this last game well to be as confident as possible heading into the first game of the campaign.”
A worthy opponent
Like the Impact, D.C. United will also bring an end to its 2019 training camp on Saturday night. The Washingtonians have also played four preseason games, with a record of two wins, one draw and one loss. The intensity and pace should be high in this fifth and last Floridian matchup for the Montreal side.
“We have a week left before we open our season,” said midfielder Harry Novillo. “We’re not worried, but confident. I think it’s more on a mental level, we need to be better each passing day. The team will be 100% ready for San Jose.”
Upcoming games
The Impact opens its regular season against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 2, at 10pm EST at Avaya Stadium (TVA Sports). The Bleu-blanc-noir will then head to Texas to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, March 9 at 5pm EST at BBVA Compass Stadium. Montreal will open its season at home, at Stade Saputo, on Saturday, April 13, at 1pm against the Columbus Crew SC (TVA Sports).
