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Montréal Impact vs NY Red Bulls: Preview and How to Watch

By Richard DeLaurell

Apr 29, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Youths wave Montreal Impact flags before the game against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Stade Spauto. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Youths wave Montreal Impact flags before the game against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Stade Spauto. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Montréal Impact Host NY Red Bulls in Battle of Baby Win Streaks

This Saturday NY Red Bulls visit Montréal Impact with both teams sporting budding win streaks.  Red Bulls are trying to double up on last weekend’s victory over New England.  They need to be focused however and not get caught looking ahead.  Red Bulls next two matches after this weekend are both big rivalries.  Those include an Open Cup derby with NYFC and an in-league renewal of the NJ Turnpike derby with Philadelphia.

Impact are also nursing 1 match win streaks both in and out of league play.  Montréal advanced in the Canadian Championship competition earlier this week by defeating cross-continent rivals, Vancouver.  Previous to that the club defeated Portland Timbers at home in regular season play, 4-1.  In fact the Impact have earned all 3 of their 2017 MLS season wins in their last 5 matches. But they are still solidly in last place in MLS East.  They are also slightly behind on the calendar however. If they can bunch even more wins together against the conference opponents they face in June Impact could make a significant move.

Montréal Impact (H)

  • Current Record (W-L-D): 3-4-4
  • Last Time Out: Playing at home Impact defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 4-2 on Tuesday night to advance on aggregate in the Canadian Championship.
  • Player to Watch For: Brand new acquisition Blerim Džemaili — on loan from Bologna FC 1909 of Italy — scored his first goal for Montréal in that win over Vancouver.  If he can stay on form he brings an offensive threat that seems quite capable of turning the club’s fortunes around in 2017.
  • Why They Win: There’s not much of a pattern to Impact wins this season because there aren’t many wins period.  But since fielding Džemaili alongside Ignacio Piatti the team have won 2 of 3 and scored 10 goals.
  • Why They Won’t: In Džemaili’s first match with Bleu-blanc-noir Montréal conceded 3 goals at home.  It’s been made clear since that given a lead keeper Evan Bush can protect it.  It’s up to the rest of the Impact to give him one.
  • Predicted Starting XI: 

NY Red Bulls

Sacha Kljestan of NY Red Bulls
Sacha Kljestan of NY Red Bulls /
  • Current Record (W-L-D): 6-6-2
  • Last Time Out: Playing at home last Saturday the Red Bulls defeated the NE Revolution, 2-1.  It was the club’s first win in its last 5 matches and the only victory they posted in the entire month of May.
  • Player to Watch For: Bradley Wright-Phillips is the team leader in goals.  Against New England he even managed to score a goal with a back heel.  How do you stop him if he can score without facing the net?
  • Why They Win: Mostly Red Bulls win at home.  On the road they mostly lose. In either case, the team earns a lot of corner kicks.  If they could take better advantage of those and create more offensive chances they might win more regardless of where they play.
  • Why They Won’t: As the season wears on, teams will find ways to shut down Wright-Phillips.  If no one else steps up on offense it could be a long second half of the season for New York.
  • Predicted Starting XI: 
  • Score Prediction

Next: Who is MLS Player of the Week?

How To Watch

  • Where: Stade Saputo, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
  • When: Sat. June 3, 7:30p ET
  • Channel: MSG, MSG GO
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