Montreal Impact vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: Preview and How to Watch
By Rohit Menon
The Montreal Impact welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps to the Saputo Stadium, with both clubs looking to improve on their lackluster form in the MLS this season.
Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps are struggling for consistency this season and will be looking to put that to bed with a win when they face off against each other. This will be the third home game of the season for the Impact, while the visitors will be playing in their fourth game on the road.
Both teams are attack minded and have a knack for goals, but also have the dubious distinction of possessing the third worst defensive records in their respective conferences. Impact have conceded 12 so far this season and the Whitecaps have leaked 13, so expect a few goals to be scored in this encounter.
Montreal Impact
- Current Record (W-L-D): 1-2-4
- Last Time Out: 3-3 draw at the Philadelphia Union
- Player to Watch For: Following his winner off the bench against Atlanta United, Anthony Jackson-Hamel saved Impact yet again as a substitute in the recent draw in Philadelphia. The homegrown player, who has managed to score three goals just 37 minutes over two outings, will be hoping to get the nod over Mancosu as the man to lead the Impact line. And if given the chance to play from the get-go, he could very well improve on that tally.
- Why They Win: A high-intensity start to the game means they could run away with it by half-time. Montreal Impact will need to be patient in possession (not necessarily control it) and look for the right opportunity to let loose so they can set up a ruthless counter-attacking opportunity. Patrice Bernier’s tenacity in midfield and ball distribution will be integral on the day, and in Ignacio Piatti, the home team possesses a genuine match-winner. They are also unbeaten at home this season (1-0-1).
- Why They Don’t: Impact has a terrible habit of starting off matches at a very sluggish pace. This has been exposed time and time again and it is one of the major reasons they haven’t won more games. Without the services of Hassoun Camara and Victor Cabrera, the Quebec side will be forced to pick a fringe player and this could mean more defensive indiscipline, and more goals leaked. At home, they aren’t exactly defensively stable either, conceding three goals in two games.
- Predicted Starting Xl:
Vancouver Whitecaps
- Current Record (W-L-D): 2-4-1
- Last Time Out: 2-1 loss at Portland Timbers
- Player to Watch For: Fredy Montero continues to justify his signing as a Designated Player by doing what he does best: score goals. The 29-year-old Colombian has four in seven appearances, with three of those coming in the last two games. He offers a different dimension to the Whitecaps with his superior hold-up play, and if he manages to keep it up, he might just be the difference-maker for the visitors.
- Why They Win: If they can stay alert and make the most of a makeshift looking Impact defense, the Whitecaps can definitely walk out with the three points. They should be wary of a high pressing Impact team and must not turn over the ball so easily, whilst being able to supply Fredy Montero with the kind of service he needs.
- Why They Don’t: The Whitecaps have lost all three of their away fixtures this season, leaking eight goals in the process. They also have a much smaller squad than most teams at the moment due to six players being out on the treatment table, which hinders their options from their bench
- Predicted Starting XI:
Prediction
How to Watch
Where: Saputo Stadium
When: Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 3:00 pm ET
Channel: CTV (Canada), TSN2 (Canada), MLS Live (USA)