Only 90 minutes stands between the Montreal Impact and a potential berth in the 2018 MLS playoffs.
A road victory over the New England Revolution and a Columbus Crew loss to Minnesota United would secure a spot for Montreal. A Columbus draw coupled with a Montreal win could also be beneficial, although the Impact have to make up a two-goal difference with the Crew.
Here are three keys to Sunday’s game between Montreal and New England.
Run at New England’s defence
Full-backs Chris Tierney and Andrew Farrell are suspended for the New England Revolution on Sunday. It’s very likely that Kelyn Rowe, typically an attack-minded player, will replace Tierney at left-back, which presents a fantastic opportunity for the Impact.
Alejandro Silva and Bacary Sagna can exploit that side whenever Rowe pushes forward. Both Silva and Sagna were quite active in the final third against Toronto FC last weekend, so head coach Remi Garde will surely allow them to do the same here.
Of course, Ignacio Piatti will be crucial on the opposing flank, as usual. Either way, Montreal will have to rely on build-up play out wide, which wasn’t the case versus Toronto.
Get Piatti involved
Piatti has a very strong record against the Revolution with three goals and four assists in eight games.
In fact, the Argentine was involved in all four goals from the previous meeting on May 5, which the Impact won 4-2, including this wonderful individual effort.
Piatti continually capitalized on the Revolution’s high line. Centre-backs Michael Mancienne and Jalil Anibaba have been exploited countless times in similar situations, so the Impact can expose this on the counter-attack.
Without Farrell starting, Piatti can target the wing or the centre. If New England don’t close him down quickly, then the 33-year-old might have another man-of-the-match performance. TFC and the Columbus Crew didn’t follow those instructions and were punished as a result.
Play through Saphir Taider
Since Raitala won’t be as involved in the final third, Saphir Taider will need to pick up the slack.
The Algerian usually drifts to the left, even when Lovitz starts. However, he was slightly more active near the touchline against Toronto with Raitala at left-back.
Almost every forward pass from Taider either unlocked space for the Impact’s forwards or led to a scoring chance against Toronto.
His driving runs forward also caused fits.
If Taider can get this sort of space at Gillette Stadium, which is entirely possible, then it could be a long day for the Revs.
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