Nacho Piatti will make his return
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact will return to Stade Saputo, this Saturday at 1pm, to take on the New England Revolution (TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690). Excellent tickets remain available on impactmontreal.com.
“I think we now need to be more confident in our offensive abilities,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “I’m not setting aside the fact that last year, our very good second half of the season was largely due to the fact that we decreased the number of goals allowed compared to the first half. I’m a head coach who believes in balance. I would like for my team to create more offensively. I think our home games will allow us to become more menacing once again on that front.”
Stade Saputo’s gates will open early, as of 11am, allowing you to take advantage of the spring weather. From 11am to noon, the 2-for-1 special on all drinks will be in place, and animations, numerous activities, and photobooths will be available beneath the stands. Video game enthusiasts can try their luck against LyesMTL, the Impact’s eSports player in the BMO Celebration Zone, on FIFA 19 on PS4. Finally, a new pregame ritual, during which supporters will be able to welcome players in the stadium’s North stand, will take place as of 11:30am, 90 minutes before kickoff. Please note as well that our new IMFC grilled cheeses made by chef Danny Smiles will henceforth be on the concessions’ menu at Stade Saputo, starting as low as $2.83 (plus tax).
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 to be expected in the Sherbrooke/Pie-IX/Pierre-de-Coubertin/Viau area, as well as to access the different parking lots around Stade Saputo due to roadwork and the Metro Metro festival, on the Esplanade of Olympic Park, which will be closed to traffic between Sherbrooke St., Pierre-de-Coubertin Avenue, and the Biodôme’s west façade, reducing access to the Olympic Park’s parking lots after the game.
The Viau metro station is undergoing an important renovation project. Construction on the new bus rapid transit corridor (BRT) on Pie-IX Boulevard has begun, and as such, traffic on Pie-IX between the A40 and Pierre-de-Coubertin Street will be impeded, while bus routes may be diverted. The P1, P2, P3, P4 parking lots are available. The P5 parking lot is reserved for Members with a parking pass.
Piatti back in the line-up
Designated Player Nacho Piatti, who last played on March 16 in a 3-1 victory over Orlando City SC, a game in which he scored a brace, will make his return this weekend. However, full-back Bacary Sagna will be suspended for Saturday’s game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
The Impact will want to continue its strong play at Stade Saputo, where it’s suffered just one loss in its last nine games. Montreal boasts a positive record of five wins, four losses and one draw against the Boston representatives on Quebec soil. The Impact goal scorers are also productive against the Revs: Anthony Jackson-Hamel has scored four goals in seven games, Nacho Piatti has three goals and four assists, while Maxi Urruti has scored twice in six games.
“It’s always dangerous to face a team with a new coach,” said midfielder Samuel Piette. “At home, there’s more pressure to win. We’ve had success on the road, but it doesn’t represent three easy points at home. We need to be careful, but we need to stay loose and play freely. We have the comfort and support that comes with playing at home. We need to use that to our advantage and perform well Saturday.”
Bruce Arena named Revs head coach this week
The Impact will play a team that’s undergone a coaching change for a second consecutive game: the Revolution hired former U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Bruce Arena this week. New England currently sits last in the Eastern Conference with 11 points in 13 games and no wins on the road. Still, Spanish Designated Player Carles Gil will need to be closely watched, having accumulated four goals and two assists since his arrival to Massachusetts.
“He’s a good coach,” said Impact striker Maximiliano Urruti. “He’s been with different clubs and has so much experience in this league. On our end, we need to score. We played well in New York and we did well in the second half of the Cincinnati game. We need to keep that trend going for this home game.”
Upcoming games
Next week, the Impact will play its only Friday night game this season, on May 24 at 10:30pm against Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium (TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690). Montreal will then head back home for four consecutive games, starting with the fixture on Wednesday, May 29, at 7:30pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690).
