Montreal Impact – Chicago Fire
Saturday, April 12, 2014 – 4pm (EDT)
Olympic Stadium
TV: TVA Sports
Radio: TSN Radio 690
Online: illico web, MLSLive
Mobile: illico mobile
MONTREAL – After gaining points in its last two games, the Montreal Impact (0-3-2) looks to capitalize on its final game at Olympic Stadium to find its first win of the season as it hosts the Chicago Fire (0-1-4) this Saturday at 4pm EDT. This game will be the first matchup for Frank Klopas versus his former team, while newly acquired striker Jack McInerney could play his first minutes with Montreal.
The game will be broadcast live on TVA Sports as well as on radio on TSN Radio 690. You can also get live updates using the Impact mobile app or by following @impactmontreal on twitter.
Head-to-Head
This is the first of three regular season games between the teams in 2014. Last season, the Impact went 1-1-1 in three meetings versus Chicago, winning its only home game 2-0 at Stade Saputo on April 27. The club has an all-time record of 1-2-2 against the Fire.
The two clubs met once at Olympic Stadium tying 1-1 in front of 58,912 spectators on March 17, 2012 in the Impact’s MLS debut.
DP Marco Di Vaio has scored three career goals, while newcomer Jack McInerney has also burned the Fire for three career goals while with Philadelphia.
Impact news
The bleu-blanc-noir found points in a second consecutive game, playing the New York Red Bulls to a 2-2 draw at Olympic Stadium. After scoring the game’s first goal, the home side needed a second half marker from Felipe to tie things up.
The Impact is currently first in MLS with 91 shots and 34 shots on goal, and tied for first with 38 corners.
Midfielder Justin Mapp leads the Impact and is tied for second in MLS with three assists.
Marco Di Vaio’s next start will be his 50th career start with the Impact in MLS, while defender Hassoun Camara needs 13 minutes to reach 5,000 career minutes with the Impact in MLS.
Forward Jack McInerney may make his Impact debut after being acquired last week from the Philadelphia Union, where the 21-year-old scored 25 goals in 95 games (53 starts) since joining the Union as a 17-year-old through the draft.
Although defender Nelson Rivas has returned to full training with the team, he still remains on the sidelines with fellow back liner Adrian Lopez and midfielder Sanna Nyassi. Midfielder Hernan Bernardello is also expected to miss the game due to an injury suffered last weekend against New York.
Fire news
The Fire battled back to equalize for a second straight time this season, last Saturday, tying Philadelphia 2-2. The team now has four ties in five games and is still looking for its first win under new head coach Frank Yallop.
Mike Magee, who just signed a new deal with Chicago, scored his first goal of the season as did Juan Luis Anangono last weekend.
Journeyman forward Quincy Amarikwa seems to have found his rhythm in Chicago, having scored two goals and added an assist in five games splayed so far this season. Amarikwa’s best season prior to 2014 was last year where he scored three goals from 14 appearances for the Fire.
Rookie midfielder Harry Shipp has settled in nicely in the midfield, finding two assist in four games played.
The team’s defence has been revamped with the additions of John Kennedy Hurtado, Patrick Ianni and Lovel Palmer, while Austin Berry was traded to Philadelphia.
Upcoming games
The Impact will hit the road next week to take on Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park on Saturday, April 19 before returning to Quebec to host the Philadelphia Union for the Stade Saputo opener on Saturday April 26 at 4pm.
