Montreal Impact – New York Red Bulls
Saturday, April 5, 2014 – 4pm (EDT)
Olympic Stadium
TV: TSN/RDS
Radio: TSN Radio 690
Mobile: illico mobile
MONTREAL – Coming off of its first result in 2014, the Impact (0-3-1) will look to build momentum as it returns to Olympic Stadium this Saturday, April 5, at 4pm EDT, to take on last year’s Supporters Shield winning New York Red Bulls (0-1-3).
Saturday’s matchup will mark the first home game of the season for Impact Designated Player Marco Di Vaio, after making his season debut last week against Philadelphia following a three-game suspension.
The game will be broadcast live on TSN and RDS, 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.
With already 20,000 tickets sold for Saturday’s MLS tilt, the Impact will surpass its normal sellout capacity reserved for Stade Saputo. Excellent tickets are still available for the game on Ticketmaster.ca or 1-855-790-1245.
The organization invites supporters to arrive early to avoid traffic around Olympic Park and overcrowding at the stadium’s entrance. Doors open at 2pm EDT.
As in most home games, some special activities and promotions are set for game day.
Head-to-Head
This is the first of two regular season games between the teams in 2014, but the two sides did meet in a preseason game earlier this year, with the Impact losing 3-0 to New York on February 22, at the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, in Orlando, Florida.
The Impact has a record of 2-4-0 in six career games versus RBNY, splitting two matches played at Olympic Stadium.
Striker Marco Di Vaio has recorded three career goals and one assist in MLS against New York. Midfielder Justin Mapp has one career goal and five assists against New York, while Felipe has four career assists against the Red Bulls.
Watch: Perkins
Impact news
The bleu-blanc-noir found a late equalizer in its most recent matchup, tying the Union 1-1 in Philadelphia. Di Vaio scored a curler that was nominated for Goal of the Week honours.
Although defender Nelson Rivas is close to returning to full training with the team, he still remains on the sidelines with fellow back liner Adrian Lopez and midfielder Sanna Nyassi, who are still a little way off from practicing with the team.
Defender Heath Pearce, who played the full 90 minutes against Philadelphia, will face his former team, having played a season and a half in the big apple.
The Impact leads MLS in a number of interesting statistical categories. The bleu-blanc-noir has outshot their opponents 70 to 47 after four games.
On Friday, the Impact announced that the club had acquired 2013 MLS All-Star forward Jack McInerney from the Philadelphia Union in exchange for Andrew Wenger. McInerney will not be available Saturday.
Red Bulls news
Last year’s regular season champions have gotten off to a slow start in 2014, having just three points in four games played so far (all draws).
In its most recent matchup, RBNY needed a 95th minute heroic header by Peguy Luyindula off of a corner kick to steal a point from visiting Chivas USA.
Tim Cahill and Richard Eckersley suffered injuries in that game and are both expected to miss some time as a result.
Second-year head coach Mike Petke and the Red Bulls medical staff has been known to take preventative measures for players such as Thierry Henry and Jamison Olave when playing on turf fields.
New York, like Montreal, decided to keep the majority of its roster intact in the offseason. Midfielder Fabian Espindola is now with D.C United but the club added midfielder Bobby Convey from Toronto FC and Spanish defender Armando, formerly of FC Barcelona’s B team.
Next games
The Impact and the Red Bulls will also meet in an MLS Reserve League match, Sunday at 10:30am at Olympic Stadium. The game is open to the public and admission is free.
The Impact plays its final game at Olympic Stadium next Saturday, April 12, at 4pm EDT, against head coach Frank Klopas’ former team, the Chicago Fire.
