The Following is a Press Release from the Montreal Impact:
Impact Welcomes FC Dallas Saturday at Stade Saputo
Top team in MLS a good test for IMFC after good performance last week
MONTREAL – A third straight Western Conference opponent awaits the Montreal Impact this Saturday, when FC Dallas visits Stade Saputo at 8pm EDT (Tickets: ticketmaster.ca / TVA Sports 2, 98,5FM, TSN Radio 690).
Dallas is the top team in MLS right now, tied with D.C. United at 21 points, and is the league’s best scoring side with 17 goals in 11 games played.
“It’s a team that plays a counter attack style and is very organized defensively,” explained Impact assistant coach Mauro Biello. “They can destabilize you with their speed with guys like [Fabian] Castillo and [Mauro] Diaz. We have to be ready.”
Castillo (4G, 5A – 11GP) and Diaz (2G, 4A – 7GP) have been the key cogs in the midfield, and along with forward Blas Perez (5G), they make for a dazzling attack.
“FC Dallas is a very talented team, built over the last few years with solid players in all positions and it’s going to be a good test for us,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “We know they have a very talented front four, so we need to dictate the game.”
Injury woes
The Impact got some bad news this week when the club announced forward Kenny Cooper underwent knee surgery and will be out for a few months. Joining him on the injury list is Dominic Oduro, who will miss a few weeks due to a groin injury.
However, there was some good news as well as Donny Toia and Victor Cabrera are closing in on a return to the group, while fellow defender Ambroise Oyongo took part in his first full week of training with the club.
No matter who is in the lineup, the Impact knows they have a tough test ahead.
“We have to contain them defensively and be good offensively like we did last week,” explained defender Bakary Soumare. “One thing we have to change is to be good for the full 90 minutes. We had time this week to fix some of the things we needed to work on and hopefully we can build on that.”
“If we manage the tempo of the game and limit their chances to organize, we will be able to find space,” added Biello.
The team hopes to build on its 4-1 win against Real Salt Lake, last Saturday, at home.
The Bleu-blanc-noir will then play its next game in Chicago against the Fire on Saturday, May 30, at 8:30pm (TVA Sports, 98,5FM, TSN Radio 690).
