Three points put Montreal back in playoff position
It’s that time of year again, when every team battling for a playoff spot in this final stretch of the 2019 MLS season is playing its “must-win” games. It’s an expression that’s extremely overused in the world of sports, but with good reason.
Take the Impact, for example: many would argue that yesterday’s game against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, the Impact’s 29th game of the regular season, was indeed a “must-win”. With six games left in the regular season, Wilmer Cabrera’s men found themselves below the playoff line before yesterday’s game against the West Coast representatives, and a loss would mean staying there, with three points separating the club from Toronto FC, with two games in hand.
Instead, the three points allow Montreal to jump into the seventh and last playoff spot. But most importantly – and the main reason these three points were a must – when the Impact takes on D.C. United this Saturday at Stade Saputo, it’ll have a chance to leapfrog them in the standings, with the same number of games played.
Which also means that the Impact would be back in the driver’s seat, in control of its playoff fate.
“Our approach was much better, and our ideas were very good,” said Wilmer Cabrera, after his first win as Impact head coach. “We’re starting to believe more in ourselves, especially here at home, which is important with five more games to play at Stade Saputo. We need to continue believing and continue building on this mentality and attitude.”
The Impact was eager to move forward against the Whitecaps, trying a total of 19 shots on goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau’s cage for 90 minutes, eight of those on target, while also delivering 15 crosses into the box.
But the biggest change was when the team didn’t have possession, with the Impact’s block applying pressure much higher on the pitch, forcing Vancouver’s backline to cough up the ball, as it did on the first goal.
“My players were more eager to go forward, apply pressure, and push high,” explained Cabrera. “It’s important. We were looking to make those passes in the final third and looking to move up the field instead of passing the ball back to our goalkeeper. In the second half of the game against Toronto, we passed the ball back too many times.”
Turning point
Of course, it may all have gone differently if it wasn’t for the heroics of the man between the posts, goalkeeper Evan Bush. With the Impact down 1-0 early and the referee pointing to the spot, another Vancouver goal may have sunk the Impact.
Instead, following a timely save from the American – and another after the referee judged that Bush had come off his line on the first attempt – Montreal was able to take control, scoring two goals just two minutes apart.
“Our confidence grew after that,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “Then we got the two goals, and that also helped, of course. It was very important that we finish the game strong, even if we didn’t get that third goal. It puts us in a good position now moving forward.”
So, if Wednesday’s game against the Vancouverites was indeed a must-win, what do we call this Saturday’s game against D.C. United (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690)? The Washingtonians are just two points in front of the Impact with the same number of games played and they will visit Stade Saputo with four losses in their last five games; moreover, Designated Player Wayne Rooney is suspended.
Maybe we can call it a golden opportunity.
