The Montreal Impact and D.C. United square off on Saturday night at Audi Field with post-season implications galore on the line.
An Impact win would widen its gap over D.C. to eight points, who still has two games in hand over Montreal. A United victory would pull them to within two points of the Impact for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, which would make for a dramatic conclusion to the regular season.
Here are three keys to Saturday’s contest.
Containing Luciano Acosta
Wayne Rooney has earned several deserved plaudits since debuting for D.C. United. However, no player has benefitted more from Rooney’s arrival than Luciano Acosta.
The Argentinean has seven goals and six assists in his last 11 appearances, playing a key role in D.C.’s resurgence. Acosta’s improvisation, technique on the ball and quick movement make him very difficult to track. He’s especially dangerous in Zone 14, but thanks to Rooney, Acosta has even more freedom up front.
Watch how Rooney drops deep, shields the ball and releases Acosta (No. 10) into space down the right before releasing a through ball for Paul Arriola (No. 7). The Impact cannot allow D.C. to counter like this, especially since Montreal’s centre-backs lack pace.
Impact coach Remi Garde would be wise to utilize a similar defensive shape from the past three games. It led to a draw with New York City FC and a pair of victories over the New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union, who are dangerous counter-attacking teams as well.
This setup allowed the Impact to restrict space between the lines, while still presenting opportunities to break forward. It also prevented the opposition from counter-attacking.
Acosta was unstoppable when both sides drew 1-1 on Aug. 4. Utilizing this approach might lead to a better result for Montreal.
Piette the Pillar
Another key in shutting down Acosta will be Montreal’s Samuel Piette.
Piette will always press the opposing player in possession, no matter where he is located on the pitch. This can be effective because if the Canadian midfielder wins the ball high up the pitch, it can catch the opposition off-guard and lead to a scoring chance. If he misses, however, then the opponent can exploit acres of space down the centre of the field.
Piette has been more disciplined in this area over the past three games. Most of his defensive interventions have occurred in his own half, which has helped alleviate the burden on the Impact defence.
The Impact will need Piette to replicate these performances if they hope to silence D.C.’s lethal attack.
Captain Amarikwa
After the Jimmy Briand deal fell through, the Impact quickly found a replacement and acquired Quincy Amarikwa from the San Jose Earthquakes.
Amarikwa has started Montreal’s last three games and earned seven out of a possible nine points in that span, which is no coincidence. He works tirelessly, shields the ball effectively and draw defenders close to him. Ignacio Piatti and Alejandro Silva have profited, because they have even more open space to exploit.
The more Amarikwa does this, the better for the Impact.
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