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Montreal Impact Take Advantage into Second Leg Against Club Pachuca

Montreal Impact Looking to Make History:

Tonight the Montreal Impact take on Club Pachuca at the Olympic Stadium in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal. The Impact are coming off an historic 2-2 draw in Mexico last Tuesday at the Estadio Hidalgo. The two away goals scored by the Impact give the team from Québec an advantage going into Tuesday’s match. Dilly Duka, who took over the injured Andres Romero’s spot, was the difference maker for Montreal last week scoring twice. (NOTE: Andres Romero looks set to miss the game tonight as well)

Second Leg Against Club Pachuca

Club Pachuca was caught flat footed last week as the Impact were able to execute their game plan to near perfection. The team from just outside Mexico City will continue to be dangerous down the wings and on set pieces. The Impact will need to keep their discipline as CONCACAF referees are notorious for creating controversy, in particular Hassoun Camara if he plays.

The Impact can advance to the CONCACAF Champions League semi-final with a 0-0 or 1-1 draw. A 2-2 draw would see the match go into extra time and a potential shootout. A Montreal or Pachuca win would see either team advance.

Don’t forget to check out the predictions offered up by JC Zambrano and John Richan last week. Who will come out on top?

Three Things to Watch For:

The ninety minutes in Montreal tonight is going to fly by, so there are a few things to watch out for if you missed the first leg last week.

The Wings: The wings are a strength for Club Pachuca and still a bit of an unknown quantity for Montreal. Last week the Impact started with newcomers Victor Cabrera and Donny Toia starting at right and left back respectfully. Shutting down the speedy Pachuca attack originating from the wings will be imperative if the Impact hope to progress into the semi-final of the tournament.

Evan Bush: The starting keeper for the Impact is one of the longest serving players on the team. However this is his first season since Montreal has joined the MLS that he is given the reigns to be the starting keeper. Bush is a solid shot stopper, but this will be the biggest game he has started for the Impact. He will need to keep a cool head with the pressure of the CONCACAF semi-final staring the Impact in the face.

Where will the Goals come from?: With Dominic Oduro starting up front last week, it will be interesting to see who Head Coach Frank Klopas goes with up front tonight. Oduro showed incredible speed last Tuesday, however looked fairly ineffective in front of goal. Midfielder Nacho Piatti, the hero of San Lorenzo’s Copa Libertadores run last year, could prove to be the difference maker if given half to score.

The match can be seen on TVA Sports, Sportsnet World / One (Canada) and starts at 8:00pm local time.    

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