Montreal Impact – New England Revolution
Saturday, May 31, 2014 – 7pm (EDT)
Stade Saputo
TV: RDS, TSN2
Radio: TSN690
Mobile: illico mobile, Impact mobile app
Twitter: @impactmontreal
MONTREAL - In a season that has seen the Montreal Impact (1-6-4) face a number of different challenges, another test comes this Saturday as the Eastern Conference’s top team, the New England Revolution (7-3-2), visit Stade Saputo at 7pm (EDT) on a seven game unbeaten streak.
And to make things a little more difficult, Saturday’s matchup will be the third game in a stretch of just eight days.
“We have to assess the roster and look at some guys who have played a lot of games over the last little while and make the right decisions,” said head coach Frank Klopas.
Watch: Klopas
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But after last Wednesday’s second half performance against Toronto in the Amway Canadian Championship, the Impact might have found a blue print for success.
“We created good chances and we pushed the game offensively in the second half,” explained Klopas on his team’s 1-1 draw in Toronto. “Justin scored a world class goal. We were ready to match the intensity of the other team and when we do that, our talent comes through. We have to make sure we are ready to do that from the opening whistle on Saturday.”
That intensity will be key against a young and energetic side from Boston, with offensive weapons like Diego Fagundez and Patrick Mullins, who are both under the age of 22. Mullins has started the past four games as the Revs’ striker, scoring a goal in each contest. Add to that an experienced midfield with Daigo Kobayashi and Lee Nguyen and you have a well-balanced side.
“Playing at home will definitely energize us, but playing the top team adds to the excitement,” said captain Patrice Bernier. “The Revs are a young team with a good scattering of veterans. They have a strong midfield that distributes well. They also have some talented players that like to take you on one-v-one. We have to make sure we close them down quickly and play physically.”
GAME NOTES:
- Next game: The Impact hosts Toronto FC in the decisive game of the Amway Canadian Championship final series on Wednesday, June 4, at 7:30pm ET at Stade Saputo. The bleu-blanc-noir could win the tournament for the first time on home soil.
- This is the first of three regular season games between these teams in 2014. The Impact and New England Revolution faced each other twice in the regular season in 2013. In the first matchup, the Impact beat the Revolution 4-2 on September 8 at Gillette Stadium with a brace by both Marco Di Vaio and Patrice Bernier. The Revs then beat the Impact 1-0 at Stade Saputo on October 12.
- Striker Jack McInerney has scored four career goals in MLS against the Revolution, including three game-winning goals, while playing with Philadelphia in just nine games played (5 starts). Jack Mac has scored four goals in his last six games, including three in the team’s three Amway Canadian Championship matches.
- The Revolution has played three matches at Stade Saputo since Montreal entered MLS in 2012, and the Revs have gone 2-1-0 in those matches.
- The Revs are one of the most balanced teams in the league, ranking third in goals scored and tied for fifth in goals against average.
