Montreal Impact vs Vancouver Whitecaps: Preview and how to watch
Familiar foes Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact square off in their opening game of the 2018 MLS regular season. Here is all you need to know.
The Montreal Impact will make the westward journey to face the Vancouver Whitecaps, kicking off the 2018 season this Sunday at 6 PM EST. This will be the first of three meetings this season and will be each team’s first look at their upcoming Amway Canadian Championship semi-final opponent they’ll see over two legs in late July.
It was just announced the home opener attendance record will be broken by the ‘Caps on this historic matchday.
Last season it was Montreal getting the better of the Whitecaps in the Canadian Championship (5-4 on aggregate) while Vancouver won the regular season meeting 2-1 in Montreal. Both teams have added some new pieces before the renewal of this Canadian rivalry and it should be another very tight and tense match this Sunday inside B.C. Place.
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Vancouver Whitecaps
Record: 0-0-0
2018 Preseason Results: 5-1-1 in all matches
Players to watch: The much-traveled Kei Kamara makes his home Vancouver Whitecaps debut. The teenage-hope-of-Canadian-soccer Alphonso Davies shows why the future is bright north of the border.
Why the Whitecaps win: The energy of the BC Place crowd along with the turf and travel just add up to too much for the Impact to overcome.
Why the Whitecaps lose: Too much energy and not enough focus in the defensive third resulting in Montreal Impact free kicks that make the difference.
Predicted Starting 11
Montreal Impact
Record 0-0-0
2018 Preseason Results: 3-1-1 in all matches
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Players to watch: Ignacio Piatti is the main attraction with Mancosu and Edwards providing a very capable supporting cast. Evan Bush will again be patrolling the nets and making it a “no-fly” zone in the Impact box.
Why the Impact wins: A bright start and too much firepower catches the Whitecaps in pre-season defending mode as the Impact bounce the ‘Caps on their home turf.
Why the Impact loses: Not putting away early chances and missing set piece opportunities could come back to haunt the Impact at full time.
Predicted Starting 11
Final Predictions: Too much Impact for the ‘Caps to defend.
Montreal wins 2-0.
Watch Live:
BC Place
Vancouver, British Columbia
6 PM EST
Channel TSN 1/3 TVAS MLSLIVE