The Philadelphia Union (5-10-3) are home again on Saturday to take on the Montreal (5-6-2) Impact. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast 6abc.
What you need to know
At first glance at the Eastern Conference standings, the Impact look to be only a lower-table team. In reality, they are a much better than they appear, having played a significantly less amount of games than the other teams in MLS. Since the Impact reached the CONCACAF Champions League final, they were forced to reschedule a lot of their early season league games.
Though they lost in the second half of the second leg in the final, that does not make them a bad team by any stretch. Through only 13 games, they have 17 points – only one less than the Union making this an important game in the Eastern Conference standings.
Coached by Frank Klopas, they have won five of their last eight matches including four in a row at home. Behind the offensive force of Jack McInerney, Ignacio Piatti, and super-sub Dominic Oduro, the team has managed to put up 17 goals in those 13 games. The downside is that they have allowed 21 goals, 14 of which have been allowed on the road.
Players to watch out for
Jack McInerney, Forward: Many will recognize the name as McInerney, a former Union man who was sent to Montreal in a trade last year, has made himself a home north of the border. McInerney is second all-time for scoring for the Impact with 17 goals, including three in their 13 games this season.
Ignacio Piatti, Midfielder: Piatti has only been on the team for two years but he has quickly found himself at the center of the offense. Piatti has three goals and three assists in 12 games this year but more importantly, all three of his assists have been game-winning assists. This is a man who is dangerous with time on the ball.
Evan Bush, Goalkeeper: Despite letting up 19 goals in the 12 games that he has played, Bush is Montreal’s undisputed number one. His tally of 53 saves through 12 games is impressive, good for fourth in the league despite playing at least three less games than the other top-five goalkeepers.
Probable Lineup
4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: Evan Bush
Defenders(left to right): Donny Toia, Laurent Ciman, Bakary Soumare, Ambriose Oyongo
Midfielders(left to right): Maxim Tissot, Marco Donadel, Ignacio Piatti, Nigel Reo-Coker, Andres Romero
Forward: Jack McInerney
Facts and Figures
The Union are 2-4-2 against Montreal with a 2-0-2 record against them at PPL Park. In their most recent meeting on August, 9, 2014, the Union won 2-1 after two goals from Sebastien Le Toux sealed the game.
The Union are coming off a win 1-0 on Wednesday at home against the Seattle Sounders. Montreal is coming off a 3-1 loss on Wednesday at Toronto.
Contact Union writer Kyle Basedow at kbasedow@philadelphiaunion.com
