Philadelphia Union vs Montreal Impact Match Preview
The Philadelphia Union return home to Talen Energy Stadium, in a must win game versus the 5th place Montreal Impact.
The Ins and Outs
Philadelphia Union 11-10-7, 40 points vs Montreal Impact 9-8-10, 37 points
Saturday at 7 p.m., Talen Energy Stadium
Pro Assigned Referees: REF: Armando Villarreal, AR1: Corey Parker, AR2: Kathryn Nesbitt, 4TH: Jaime Herrera
Coaches: Jim Curtin, Philadelphia Union; Mauro Biello, Montreal Impact.
Where to Watch: The Comcast Network, TVA Sports, MLS Live.
By The Goals: Philadelphia Union 47 goals for, 44 goals against; Montreal Impact 41 goals for, 42 goals against.
Last Games: Philadelphia Union away at Chicago Fire, 3-0 loss; Montreal Impact away at Orlando City SC, 4-1 loss.
Will the Union have an answer for Drogba?
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After suffering a 3-0 defeat to the Chicago Fire, the Philadelphia Union will look to bounce back in an extremely important match up with Montreal Impact. This will be the third and final meeting between the two clubs, the first at Talen Energy Stadium.
In the first meeting between the two, International Superstar, Didier Drogba needed just 3 minutes to score the opening goal for Montreal. C.J. Sapong would respond for the Union in the 24th minute, as the two teams played to a 1-1 draw.
The second meeting between the two teams was much different than the first. The Union could not find an answer for the Montreal attack, nor could they put the ball in the back of the net. Montreal attempted 22 shots, to the Union’s 9. 5-1 was the final score, in favor of Montreal. Drogba scored 3 goals on the day.
In two games against the Philadelphia Union this year, 4 of the 9 goals scored by Drogba have come against the Union.
Short Rest for Montreal
Montreal comes into Saturday’s game against the Union after losing 4-1 to Eastern Conference foe Orlando City on Wednesday evening. Drogba scored less than 120 seconds into the game, but this would be the only goal Montreal would see in the back of the net.
Starting Goalkeeper Evan Bush will miss the game Saturday night, after receiving a red card in the 52nd minute, for fouling on an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The red card means an automatic 1 game suspension.
The match lasted a little more than 95 minutes, including stoppage time. Montreal looked exhausted by games end, especially in the Florida heat. With such short rest, the Philadelphia Union will have the much fresher legs. This could be a big factor in the game.
What to Expect
Three points are on the line and the Philadelphia Union can’t afford to lose this game. One of the first “must win” games of the season. With 40 points, Philadelphia sits in 4th place, Montreal is just behind them with 37. With a win, the Union will be tied (depending other results) for 2nd in the east.
Philadelphia will likely see the return of three players. Two were on international duty, starting Goalkeeper Andre Blake will likely man the net. Alejandro Bedoya will return to the midfield and will bring back the stability that was missing last Saturday in Chicago. Center back Joshua Yaro will also likely be back in the Starting XI after missing the game in Chicago, as he mourned the loss of his mother.
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Every game is important in these last 6 weeks of the season, emotions will be running high, with the game having a playoff feel to it. Montreal is playing on tired legs and the Philadelphia Union are much more rested. The fresh legs combined with Montreal starting their back up Goalkeeper is a good recipe for success. 2-1 Union win with C.J. Sapong and Chris Pontius as the goal scorers for the Boys in Blue.