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First thoughts
After a 2-2 draw midweek against LA Galaxy, a match in which they dropped a two goal lead at home, the Montreal Impact face another tough test when they travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts and Gillette Stadium to take on New England Revolution.
The Revs are currently the in form side in Major League Soccer, going undefeated in its last five matches and on a run that has seen them vault from a borderline playoff team to potential MLS Cup winner.
Keep Thinking
This match comes at an interesting time for the Impact. While its league form and position in the standings has long been considered an after thought, the club is still very much alive in CONCACAF Champions League and they have a key midweek game against New York Red Bulls to keep in mind.
Coach Frank Klopas might be looking to rest one or two of the important players for this match, particularly some of the older players such as Marco Di Vaio, Patrice Bernier and Matteo Ferrari. Given that the Champions League match is at home at Stade Saputo, these are players that would be better served not playing on the Gillette Stadium turf.
New England coach Jay Heaps has been receiving dynamic play from midfielders Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe in recent matches and with each passing game they’re looking more comfortable with newly acquired DP and US international Jermaine Jones. However, while the attacking prowess has been getting all the headlines, the work in defence has been the real key.
The back four of last season’s Defensive Player of the Year Jose Goncalves, his partner A.J. Soares and fullbacks Andrew Farrell and Darrius Barnes have quietly been forming a solid unit that are able to pick up individual responsibilities and, in the case of Farrell and Barnes, even join the attack on occasion.
Key battles in this match will come in midfield and if there will be a focus on one particular individual matchup it will be between the two newest arrivals to the league in Ignacio Piatti vs. Jermaine Jones. It’s becoming clearer that much of the Impact play is being funneled to the Argentine whom has been compared by his teammate Patrice Bernier to Portland Timbers Diego Valeri.
Final Thoughts
Playing on the road, focusing more and more on Champions League and having played midweek against the Galaxy, this match favors the Revolution, who pose too many options and who are playing at a high level at the moment.
Prediction
Montreal Impact 1-3 New England Revolution
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