Olivier Tremblay covers the Montreal Impact for MLSsoccer.com
MONTREAL – The Impact must go one step further this time.
After losing 1-0 in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Montreal have been shut out four times in last five games – and they tied the other, 2-2, against the Chicago Fire. But a draw won’t do against the Philadelphia Union, this Saturday, as Montreal would then have to rely on favorable results elsewhere this weekend and likely the next.
“The players make me feel confident. I can see they're really focused.”
- Marco Schällibaum
They want to score, they want to win, and they want to clinch a playoff spot – a win against Philadelphia coupled with the New England Revolution picking up a point at most would do the trick.
Despite the recent drought, head coach Marco Schällibaum is positive that his players can set themselves free offensively this weekend. Sometimes, he says, all it takes is one tentative shot somehow making it to the back of the net.
“The players make me feel confident,” Schällibaum told reporters on Friday. “We played a good game on Wednesday, but we didn't score and we need to score to win. That's how it is. But I can see they're really focused. They know the situation is tricky, but even today, it's all in our hands still.”
Philadelphia, meanwhile, are tied with Montreal and Chicago on 46 points and hold limited control over their playoff chances due to having notched one fewer win than their rivals. On Saturday, they will be without Michael Farfan, suspended, and might not count on MLS assist co-leader Sébastien Le Toux, injured.
