Montreal Impact vs. New York Red Bulls | 2016 East Semifinal Match Preview

Sam Stejskal

Montreal Impact vs. New York Red Bulls
2016 Eastern Conference Semifinal – Leg 1
Stade Saputo | Montreal, Quebec
Sunday, Oct. 30
3 pm ET (ESPN in the US | RDS, TSNGO in Canada)

The Lowdown:

The Eastern Conference regular season winners, the Red Bulls are looking to translate that success into the club’s first-ever MLS Cup championship. The team has advanced to the Eastern Conference final in both of the last two years, but are still looking to get over the hump to make their first appearance at MLS Cup since 2008.

The Impact limped into the playoffs, but pulled off a big-time road win in the Knockout Round, defeating D.C. United 4-2 at RFK Stadium on Thursday to advance to the East semis. They did it all without Didier Drogba, who missed Thursday’s match while dealing with a back injury. The Ivorian striker hasn’t played since he refused to be in the 18 for Montreal’s match against Toronto on Oct. 16.

Must-Read:

Montreal Impact Snapshot:

2016 Regular Season Finish: East No. 5 seed (11-11-12 record, 45 points, 7-5-5 home record)
Current Form: W-W-D-L-W
Strengths: The Impact are killer on the counter and have had plenty of big-game success using defend-and-break tactics.
Weaknesses: They had a tough run entering the playoffs, winning just twice in their final eight regular season games. Did the D.C. win turn over a new leaf, or was it just a blip?
Injuries/Suspensions: Andres Romero (ACL) – out; Didier Drogba (back) – unknown.
Player to Watch: Ignacio Piatti. Who else? The Argentine star was magnificent in D.C. and could singlehandedly carry the Impact to a win against the Red Bulls.
Probable Starting XI: Evan Bush; Hassoun Camara, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Ambroise Oyongo; Marco Donadel, Patrice Bernier, Marco Donadel; Dominic Oduro, Matteo Mancosu, Ignacio Piatti

New York Red Bulls Snapshot:

2016 Regular Season Finish: East No. 1 seed (16-9-9 record, 57 points, 3-7-7 away record)
Current Form: D-W-W-W-W
Strengths: One of the most cohesive, well-coached units in the league, with plenty of firepower at several spots.
Weaknesses: Can be had in the back – allowed two or more goals in four of their last six games.
Injuries/Suspensions: Gideon Baah (left tibia) – out; Connor Lade (ACL) – out; Justin Bilyeu (head) – out
Player to Watch: Sacha Kljestan. Yeah, BWP scores the goals, but Kljestan is the man that makes the Red Bulls go. Take him out of the picture, and the Impact will have a much easier time Sunday.
Probable Starting XI: Luis Robles; Kemar Lawrence, Damien Perinelle, Aurelien Collin, Chris Duvall; Dax McCarty, Felipe; Mike Grella, Sacha Kljestan, Alex Muyl; Bradley Wright-Phillips

Match Essentials:

DOWNLOAD THE FULL GAME GUIDE (PDF)

Referee: Robert Sibiga
Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson (AR1), Kermit Quisenberry (AR2)
4th Official: Mark Geiger

Montreal vs. New York Head-to-Head
All-Time (13 meetings):
Montreal 3 wins, 18 goals • New York 8 wins, 27 goals • Ties 2
All-Time Playoff Meetings:
First meeting
All-Time in Montreal (6 meetings):
Montreal 3 wins, 11 goals • New York 1 win, 6 goals • Ties 2
2016 Meetings (3 meetings):
MTL 3, NY 0 (Mar. 12); NY 3, MTL 1 (Aug 13); NY 1, MTL 0 (Sept. 24)