MONTREAL – Top four. That's the goal for the Montreal Impact on Wednesday.
It may not have the same cachet as it does in, say, the English Premier League, where finishing fourth or better guarantees at least a taste of UEFA Champions League play the following season. But in the case of the Impact, finishing in the top four among the CONCACAF Champions League group winners could prove very important for their knockout-stage prospects.
Montreal have already clinched their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal berth. This Wednesday, in their final group-stage game at New York Red Bulls (8 pm ET, FS2/Univision Deportes), they’ll look to secure their spot among the best four group winners, who host the second leg of their quarterfinal ties.
A fourth win in four CCL games would ensure just that for Montreal; they’re joined by only the Portland Timbers, D.C. United and Pachuca in winning all three of their group games so far. A point may suffice as well, but the Impact want maximum points.
“It’s important, in four games, if we can be undefeated, to be in the top group,” Impact head coach Frank Klopas told reporters on Monday. “That’s great. Maybe you can avoid one of the big Mexican teams. But regardless, you’re going to have to play a good, quality team anyways.”
Added defender Maxim Tissot: “I think we’d rather play an MLS team. Maybe it wouldn’t be so good for the league, but maybe it’d be better for us to know our opponent better. But no matter who we face, we’ll be ready.”
Montreal fully expect New York, who will have their sights set on the MLS season finale, to shake their team up. To avoid the knockout round in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the Red Bulls need a Philadelphia road win at Columbus and a win of their own at Sporting Kansas City.
“Even the game they played here against us, they made changes, played some guys that probably aren’t in their starting group,” Klopas said. “But regardless, there’s a lot to play for for all those guys because it’s the end of the season, and maybe it’s an opportunity they’re going to get to impress their coach. They’re going to be fresh.”
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Youth may go up against experience. This Saturday, when Montreal host D.C. United in the MLS season finale (4 pm ET, MLS Live), defenders Matteo Ferrari, Heath Pearce and Hassoun Camara will all be suspended. It appears likely that a more experienced backline will protect goalkeeper Evan Bush this Wednesday, with Montreal’s youngsters getting a run at home for Marco Di Vaio’s farewell on the weekend.
“This Wednesday, we’re going to see where the guys are [physically] and put a strong group to try to win the game,” Klopas said. “Then, obviously Saturday, because of those suspensions, we’re going to have to make some adjustments, for sure.”
Uneligible this Wednesday due to yellow card accumulation, Di Vaio will not travel to New York. Klopas also all but ruled out his other Designated Player, Ignacio Piatti, for the rest of the season.
“I don’t think so,” Klopas said when asked if Piatti may play on Wednesday or Saturday.
