Eastern Conference leaders have conceded just four goals this season
Finally. The first Impact game in Montreal is this Saturday at 1pm, and it’s against the best team in the East so far this season, the Columbus Crew SC (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98,5, TSN 690). In pole position in the Eastern Conference after six games, new head coach Caleb Porter and his team can count on continuity within the squad, despite the coaching change: the only new arrival this year was Robinho (not him, another one), who has played every game thus far.
The Impact, on its end, is riding on two consecutive clean sheets on the road; the first one achieved on Yankee Stadium’s difficult field, and the other on Tuesday, at Audi Field, a game in which Rémi Garde made six changes to his starting 11, giving the team’s younger players some deserved playing time.
With Montreal’s defense starting to look sturdier than ever, Garde’s men will need to get things going offensively, having scored just once in their last three games. Here are three keys to beating the Crew on Saturday afternoon.
- Individual marking in the box
The Crew doesn’t score too many goals, but it has two specific ways of scoring them: either from a corner at the near post, or from a low cross into the box, usually from the right side, and very often for Gyasi Zardes. Communication between both centre-backs will be vital in man-marking the American striker, who has a knack of being open at the right time in the box.
- Press on the wings, not in the middle
It’s hard for the opposing team to recover the ball when the Crew is in possession. Options in midfield are numerous, with Will Trapp often dropping into central defense, and either Zardes or Federico Higuain making themselves available. However, an opportunity presents itself when play shifts to the wings: Justin Meram completes just three out of four passes in his half of the field, while Pedro Santos has a 57% success rate in the same scenario.
- Shoot on target
Two shots on target in two games is simply not enough, especially not against a ‘keeper like Zack Steffen. Yes, the Impact took 11 shots Tuesday in Washington, which means things are working offensively. Once they rediscover that final finishing touch, which we know they have in their repertoire, the Impact should be successful in front of goal.
