MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact hosts Columbus Crew SC at Stade Saputo this Sunday, at 7pm, in the first leg of the aggregate goal Eastern Conference semifinal series (RDS2, TSN, CJAD 800).
Some excellent tickets remain for this matchup, in the few thousands, via ticketmaster.ca.
“It’s a quick turnover for us, but I can’t say that we are not used to it because it’s been like that for the last month and a half,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “Our recovery will be important over the next few days, being our third game of the week, but we are fit right now and have a couple of days to get our minds clear and prepared for Sunday.”
The Crew SC (15-11-8, 53 pts) earned a bye into the semifinal round after finishing as the second seed in the East, with just two more points than IMFC.
As a result, the Bleu-blanc-noir was forced to dispatch of Toronto FC this past Thursday, throttling its Canadian rivals 3-0 and becoming the first Canadian team to ever win a playoff game in Major League Soccer.
“We are all very pleased with the win against Toronto,” said Ignacio Piatti. “Now we are all focused on Sunday’s game, to try and score some goals, so we can go to Columbus with some calm.”
Captain Patrice Bernier and Ignacio Piatti led the charge versus TFC, with a goal and an assist each, while Didier Drogba scored a 12th goal in his 12th game in an Impact uniform.
Like Toronto, Columbus is solid in the midfield and the offensive zone with the likes of playmaker Federico Higuaín (8G, 9A), US youth international Will Trapp, as well as MLS all-stars Ethan Finlay (12G, 13A) and striker Kei Kamara (22G, 8A), who finished tied with TFC’s Sebastian Giovinco for most goals in MLS.
“Columbus has had the same group for almost two years, so they know what they have to do,” said Patrice Bernier. “With Kei Kamara and Federico Higuain, they are solid up top. But it’s the playoffs, so you have to be mentally prepared for the game. We have to start the game the way we did Thursday and make sure we are efficient.”
IMFC has the edge this season in head-to-head matchups, defeating the Black and Gold 2-1 in Columbus on June 6, followed by a 3-0 victory at Stade Saputo on July 11.
The second leg of the semifinal series is set for the following Sunday, November 8 at MAPFRE Stadium, with timing and broadcast information to be released following the conclusion of the first game.
