PACHUCA, Mexico – Montreal Impact woke up Monday morning to the local papers quoting players from CF Pachuca – their opponent Tuesday in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals (10 pm ET; Fox Sports 2-US; Sportsnet One-CAN) – saying they won’t take the match lightly.
Some Montreal players, however, aren’t so sure about that.
“[The Mexican] league is one of the best leagues in [the Americas],” Impact midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker told reporters. “So I think they don’t really think too highly of MLS opponents. There’s a big chance that they may underestimate us, and that could work to our benefit.”
The thing is: it hasn’t been a field day for MLS teams in Mexico – far from it.
Since the tournament makeover in 2008, MLS teams have yet to win (0-9-3) in Mexico in the knockout stages. Worse, MLS’ overall record in Mexico stands at two wins – FC Dallas at Pumas and Seattle at Monterrey, both in 2011 – 28 losses and six draws.
The knockout phase kicking off before the MLS regular season even starts has perhaps given Mexican teams a fitness advantage. But it can work both ways, Montreal says. Pachuca haven’t exactly had the greatest opportunities to get acquainted with the Impact, while Montreal have plenty of material with which to analyze Pachuca’s game.
They’ve done so at an altitude of 7,000 feet, dealing with limited oxygen and stifling smog after transitioning their preseason camp to Mexico two weeks ago. But Montreal feel prepared to rigorously execute their game plan, which they remain mum about.
“We know that Mexican teams tend to be very good at home and play another style away,” team captain Patrice Bernier said. “They may push for a result and get to Montreal with only defending in mind. We know how they are. We’ve seen a lot of matches, of analyses.”
Pachuca’s game is quick – real quick.
Winger Jürgen Damm delivers assists or pops one in himself in prodigious fashion. Their counterattacks are deadly. But their back four can be guilty of dips in concentration – as evidenced by their 17 goals scored with eight allowed in four group-play games – and they appear vulnerable to pace.
The Tuzos’ 2-1 win against León this weekend will provide Montreal with some last-minute footage. Pachuca chose to field a strong XI but may have lost an option in midfield as Jorge Hernandez was taken off late with suspected collateral ligament damage.
And they’ll have the small matter of an away game at Tijuana to take care of Friday before the second leg in Montreal next week.
“I don’t think there’s going to be any surprises,” Montreal head coach Frank Klopas said. “Obviously, they had an injury last game to Hernandez, but other than that, if there's any changes to the lineup, I’ve seen enough of their games, so I know the different guys that have been coming in and out and what they bring to the game. The players will be very well aware of that.”
