Montreal brings an end to stretch of eight games out of nine on the road
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts – The Montreal Impact will play the second of three games in nine days, this Wednesday, April 24, at 7:30pm against the New England Revolution, at Gillette Stadium (TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690).
“We have to turn the page, look at what we did wrong in the last game and analyze it,” said head coach Rémi Garde. “I think we could have done better, especially concerning our mentality and our attitude. We all have to learn from this. There is a bit of disappointment and frustration, because the score is a little bit harsh, but we don’t contest it. At the moment, we are going through a difficult sequence, but if we look at the small summary until now, I don’t think it is a negative one. We have the possibility, with the next two games, to even make it very positive.”
Bouncing back before returning home
Currently sixth in the Eastern Conference with just three points separating them from leaders D.C. United, the Impact will finally put an end to a sequence during which the club played eight of its first nine games on the road to start the campaign. Rémi Garde’s men managed a record of two wins, three losses, and two draws on the road, placing them second in MLS for points accumulated away from home thus far.
Goalkeeper Evan Bush is just three saves away from the 500 mark in MLS regular season action, while Samuel Piette, if he plays, could beat the record for most consecutive games played, having started the last 45 contests for the Impact. The Montreal club, on its end, is just two goals away from reaching 1,000 goals scored in club history.
“The most important thing is not to lose, especially after we conceded three goals,” underlined centre back Zakaria Diallo. “Our start to the season is not steady, but I have confidence in this team. I think we have a good group at the moment. The young players work a lot and they bring good things. When they enter a game, it goes well. It’s up to them to take their chances if they have an opportunity.”
An unwelcoming stadium
Although Montreal holds a respectable record of three wins, five losses, and one draw in Foxborough, the team has lost its last four games at Gillette Stadium, a place where the Impact hasn’t won since 2015. However, an opportunity presents itself, since the Revs, currently 10th in the East, have lost three of their first five home games since the beginning of the season. Midfielder and Designated Player Carles Gil, the former Valencia, Aston Villa, and Deportivo La Coruña man, will be one to watch, having already scored three times, adding two assists as well, in eight games this season.
“It will be a tough game,” said midfielder Samuel Piette. “Each time we go to Foxborough, it’s tough. They have not had much success until now, but they just won their last game. They are hungry to get points at home. It’s a battle. We will have to win our duels, something we have not done in our last game.”
Upcoming games
The Impact will play two consecutive games at Stade Saputo for the first time this season after its visit to Massachusetts, starting with a matchup against the Chicago Fire on Sunday, April 28 at 12:30pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690). Excellent tickets for Sunday’s game are still available, as well as season or partial memberships on impactmontreal.com. The Impact recommends adequately planning your transport, use public transportation and arrive early. Stade Saputo’s doors will open at 10:30am to allow you to enjoy the atmosphere and take advantage of numerous activities in the stadium’s corridors. From 10:30 to 11:30am, the classic 2-for-1 on all drink will be in place. Don’t miss our new pregame ritual, during which supporters can welcome players in Stade Saputo’s North grandstand, 90 minutes before kickoff. Montreal will then host New York City FC on Saturday, May 4 at 5pm, for a second game in a month against the Citizens (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690).
