Since turning their focus to MLS regular season play, the Montreal Impact (3-4-2) have regained their winning ways at home, but on the road it’s been a different story. Here’s everything you need to know about Columbus Crew SC’s (4-5-4) next home opponent.
The Impact currently stand in the ninth seed, four spots behind Crew SC, in the Eastern Conference with 11 points in 9 games played. A run to the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) earlier this year subsequently delayed their MLS regular season schedule.
With focus solely on regular season play, the Impact have turned the page after a forgettable start to their 2015 campaign. Montreal has won three of its last four, most recently in the shape of a 2-1 home win over Vancouver. On the road, however, positive results have been scarce for the French Canadians.
Of Montreal’s 11 points, one has been earned on the road, dating back to a 0-0 draw at New England on March 21. So far, road goals have come at a premium on the road for this squad. Not only has an away victory evaded the bleu-blanc-noir, the squad has yet to record a goal on the road, averaging 2.8 shots on target per road game with a pass succession rate of 77 percent.
Unlike Crew SC’s possession-oriented style of play, Montreal favors creating chances through long balls and attacking up the sidelines, while averaging almost three offside calls per match. On the road, they focus on distributing their attacking through-balls out wide. Forty-seven percent of the Impact’s possession occurs in the middle third while 75 percent of their attacking chances progress through the right and left flanks.
So far, it’s been the midfield in Montreal providing the offensive spark, with midfielders Ignacio Piatti, Andrés Romero and Dilly Duka accounting for over one half of the Impact’s goals this season (6). Of the Impact's 11 goals this season, eight have been scored through open play scenarios, while two have come from the penalty spot and one from a set piece.
On the defensive end, Montreal will be playing without standout defender Ambroise Oyongo, who has been called up by the Cameroon national team for three upcoming friendlies. Oyongo has provided some stability for a team that has been on both ends of the spectrum.
You could say it’s been a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde start to the 2015 MLS campaign: on one hand, an opportunity to become to first MLS team crowned as CCL Champions; on the other, ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
With CCL in the rearview mirror and a chance to improve upon their winning ways, MAPFRE Stadium certainly won’t be the easiest place for the Impact to start as the Black & Gold look to improve upon a 4-1-1 home record this Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.
Montreal Impact Quick Facts:
Regular Season Record: 3-4-2
Points: 11
Eastern Conference Rank: 9th
AwayRecord: 0-3-1
Goals For: 11
Goals Against: 14
Current Run: 1 undefeated match
Last Match: 2-1 W over Vancouver Whitecaps FC
