After what can be described as a difficult defeat at the hands of Sporting Kansas City last weekend, the Montreal Impact hosts the Philadelphia Union this Saturday for the opening game at Stade Saputo.
1. 3 for 3
The Impact has three wins versus the Union at Stade Saputo and is undefeated in Stade Saputo home openers (1-0-1) in two games, so what better place to grab that first win then its first game at the fortress.
2. Facing your former team x 2
Impact striker Jack McInerney may have some extra motivation as he gets to line up against his former team, the Philadelphia Union, just three weeks since being traded from the city of brotherly love. The man he was traded for, Andrew Wenger will share some of that motivation as he plays against the team that drafted him first overall in 2012. However, in Wenger’s case, there may be some additional emotion as well, returning to the place he called home for more than two years.
- INFOGRAPHIC: Game in numbers »
3. Revamped back line
Impact head coach Frank Klopas told the media this week that he decided to play three youngsters alongside Matteo Ferrari last weekend in KC, Karl W. Ouimette, Maxim Tissot and Eric Miller, based on who he thought performed the best in training during the week, adding “our youngsters need playing time and deserved it.” Will youth continue to be the approach this weekend or does Klopas return with some veterans in front of the Impact’s keeper.
4. Di Vaio: 5 goals against Union
Forward Marco Di Vaio has scored five goals versus the Union, including a hat trick in a 5-3 win just around this time last year at Stade Saputo. Can history repeat itself?
5. Nagging little knocks
Both Justin Mapp and Marco Di Vaio left last Saturday’s game with slight knocks suffered against Kansas City, while keeper Troy Perkins took a shot to the face. Will they be available Saturday?
