Montreal Impact vs. New York City FC | 2017 MLS Match Preview

Steve Brisendine

Montreal Impact vs. New York City FC
2017 MLS Regular Season
Stade Saputo – Montreal
Wednesday, September 27 – 7:30 p.m. ET
WATCH: TSN1, TVAS in Canada, MLS LIVE in US

Every time the Montreal Impact get close to the Eastern Conference playoff field, something happens to knock them back – and time is running out for the 2016 conference finalists.

A 5-3 victory over Supporters' Shield leaders Toronto FC raised hopes last week. But then the Impact went down to Georgia and got blanked 2-0 by Atlanta United, leaving them three points short of the sixth-place New York Red Bulls – who also have a game in hand. Things don't get any easier on Wednesday, as the Impact host a New York City FC side who have already clinched a playoff berth but are fighting hard for a first-round bye (TFC having all but locked up the Shield).

A key subplot on Wednesday: With Portland's Diego Valeri having taken the MLS Golden Boot lead over the weekend, many will be watching Stade Saputo to see if NYCFC's David Villa – the current holder – can keep pace by bagging his 20th (or more) goal of the year.

Montreal Impact

Suspended: None
International duty: None
Injuries: OUT: D - Ambroise Oyongo (right knee surgery 6/13, out 6 months)

Projected Starting XI

(3-4-1-2, right to left) GK: Evan Bush – Victor Cabrera, Laurent Ciman, Deian Boldor – Hassoun Camara, Marco Donadel, Samuel Piette, Daniel Lovitz – Blerim Dzemaili – Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Ignacio Piatti

Notes: Montreal have won just one of their six meetings with NYCFC to date, and have scored more than a goal just once in the series, which came in their only win against NYCFC ... the Impact have lost their last three home games, including a 1-0 loss to Chicago on Sept. 2 that marked the first time they have been shut out at home this year ... Ignacio Piatti did not manage a single shot against Atlanta last weekend, just the third time in 25 appearances this season that he has failed to produce at least one shot.

New York City FC

Suspended: None
International duty: None
Injuries: OUT: M Miguel Camargo (non-displaced hip fracture), D Maxime Chanot (hernia surgery), M Yangel Herrera (athletic pubalgia injury); QUESTIONABLE: M Alex Ring (toe injury)

Projected Starting XI

(4-3-3, right to left): GK: Sean Johnson — Andraz Struna, Frederic Brillant, Alexander Callens, Ben Sweat — Andrea Pirlo, Alex Ring, Maxi Moralez — Rodney Wallace, David Villa, Jack Harrison

Notes: NYCFC are unbeaten in their last three road games (1W-2D), conceding just two goals. In their previous three road games they conceded seven goals (1W-2D) ... NYCFC average 55.7 percent possession this year, the third-highest total of any team in MLS ... last week City hosted Houston at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut due to a rescheduled baseball game at Yankee Stadium; the 1-1 draw marked the first MLS game played in the Nutmeg State.