MONTREAL—What will the Impact do for an encore?
In the second leg of CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals earlier this month, the Montreal Impact were on the verge of elimination, down 1-0 to Mexican outfit Pachuca at home. It looked hopeless.
But then deep into injury time, Calum Mallace played a perfect long ball for Cameron Porter to latch onto, and the rookie took it in full stride before slotting it through the legs of the Pachuca goalkeeper with virtually the last kick of the game.
Cue bedlam, as the 38,104 in attendance at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium erupted in celebration. The Mexicans, who on the balance of play on the night were the better side, were eliminated and Montreal was moving on. How quickly things turn.
Now the Impact are looking to conjure a little more magic when they host Alajuelense of Costa Rica in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals on Wednesday night.
Here are some things you should know about this game.
Wednesday programming alert: Watch Montreal Impact vs Alajuelense in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals live on Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet World. Coverage starts at 8:00 pm ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Impact flying the flag for MLS
Porter’s late equalizer for the Impact two weeks ago against Pachuca allowed Montreal to win their quarterfinal on the away goals rule. Besting one of the top teams in Mexico was no small feat, but now Montreal faces another tough task in Alajuelense, who are in the semifinals for a second straight year.
The Impact are looking to make club history by reaching the final for the first time, as well as striking a blow for MLS pride on the continent. In the six Champions League tournaments since the first one in 2008-09, only one Major League Soccer club has ever reached the final (Real Salt Lake in 2011). Other than that, the finals have always been contested between two Mexican sides
Having served as CONCACAF doormats for years now, MLS is now knocking on the door, and a Montreal victory in the final, if it advances, would give the league a much-needed credibility boost, as well as raise the profile of MLS outside of Canada and the United States.
“It would be huge if an MLS team won the tournament. … That would be phenomenal for the league,” Impact defender Donny Toia offered. “That would really help the league, its players and its teams get noticed.”
Two-legged semifinal
This is a home-and-home playoff, with the winner over two legs advancing to the final. The return leg between Montreal and Alajuelense is scheduled for April 7 in Costa Rica.
Montreal is undefeated at home in the CONCACAF Champions League with an overall record of seven wins and three ties, including eight shutouts.
“Having the first game at home, you definitely want to get out to an early lead,” striker Jack McInerney said. “They are a team that likes to move forward with five or six guys, so we can take advantage of the counterattack. … We need to keep a shutout at home and take advantage of our opportunities. We like our chances Wednesday night.”
Herediano of Costa Rica defeated Mexican side Club America 3-0 in the first leg of their semifinal on Tuesday night.
Who are Alajuelense?
Established in 1919, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense is one of the founding members of the Costa Rican first division. It is one of Costa Rica’s most successful clubs, having won 29 league titles. It’s also won two CONCACAF Champions’ Cups—the old championship tournament for CONCACAF before the Champions League was started in 2008-09.
Coached by Costa Rican legend Oscar Ramirez (he earned 75 caps and played at the 1990 World Cup for Los Ticos, Alajuelense reached the semifinals of last season’s Champions League, losing to Mexican side Toluca.
They weren’t all that impressive in the group stage of this season’s completion—they topped their group, but won just once and tied their other three matches. They did, however, dismantle D.C. United in the quarterfinals, winning 5-2 at home en route to a 6-4 aggregate victory.
Two players to keep close tabs on are forwards Jonathan McDonald (club top scorer in Costa Rican league with six goals) and Johan Venegas (five goals).
Alajuelense is currently fourth in the Costa Rican league but they are winless in their last six domestic games. However, Montreal coach Frank Klopas believes they are a better team than Pachuca and pose a bigger threat to Montreal than the Mexican outfit did in the quarterfinals.
“They’re a very solid team. They have experienced players. They’re different in a sense because Pachuca was very direct, with lot of pace out wide. It’s not that (Alajuelense) aren’t quick, but they have smart players and they are very good in possession,” Klopas said.
“They’re very organized, and they can play different systems and switch in a game. Pachuca was a bit more predictable with the way they played.”
Reo-Coker’s thoughts
Sportsnet’s Gerry Dobson spoke with Montreal Impact midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker in the buildup to Wednesday’s match:
Notable absences
Wingers Justin Mapp (fractured elbow) and Andres Romero (quad) will not be available. While Mapp is expected to miss the next four months (he suffered the injury in Montreal’s MLS season opener), Klopas said Romero is expected to return to full training before this weekend.
Sportsnet commentator called Mapp “one of the best wingers in MLS.”
“When you talk about a guy who gets the ball at his feet and runs at opponents with success, there’s not a lot of guys who do that in this league, and Justin Mapp is one of them,” Barker told Sportsnet’s Soccer Central podcast.
Montreal midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker agrees with that assessment.
“Justin is a fantastic player and it’s a big loss for us, not just for this game but also (in MLS). … He’s someone you’d pay to go watch and play just because of his style,” Reo-Coker stated.
Midfielder Eric Alexander is ineligible to play for Montreal—he’s cup tied, having previously appeared for the New York Red Bulls in the group stage of the tournament before being traded to the Impact last month.
Eric Kronberg is also ineligible after playing for Sporting Kansas City earlier in the tournament. Fellow goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau is out with a shoulder injury, so the Impact have signed Kristian Nicht on emergency loan from NASL club Indy Eleven to back up Evan Bush. Nicht was previously acquired on loan last month for the same reason for Montreal’s two quarterfinal games against Pachuca.
Klopas suspension
Klopas is suspended for Wednesday’s contest (he picked up a red card in the second leg of the quarterfinals) and won’t be allowed to sit on the bench with his team.
“You might see me on the bench dressed in (disguise),” Klopas joked.
Up next for Montreal?
After having a bye last week, the Impact return to MLS action this Saturday when they visit the New England Revolution. Montreal makes its home debut in MLS the following Saturday versus Orlando City.
Soccer Central podcast: SPORTSNET.CA’s Soccer Central podcast, hosted by John Molinaro and James Sharman, takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues. To listen and subscribe to the podcast, CLICK HERE.
