

Posted by

Kamal Hylton ,

August 1, 2014 Email

Kamal Hylton

On Twitter:

@KamalHylton

First thoughts

Saturday’s match up sees two Canadian rivals in need of a boost square off, as both Toronto FC and Montreal Impact are looking at this as an important part to their respective seasons. TFC are looking to halt a four match winless streak after its 3-0 loss to D.C. United, while the Impact seek to stop a five match losing run after a late Diego Valeri goal saw them suffer a 3-2 defeat to the Portland Timbers.



In a continuing vein to shake things up, Montreal have made changes to the team on and off the field, trading Sanna Nyassi to the Chicago Fire for Dilly Duka and with Nick De Santis being removed as Sporting Director. Head Coach Frank Klopas will now assume full control, putting the responsibility of digging out of a massive hole squarely on his shoulders and the shoulders of the players.



The Reds have not fared well since resuming play post-World Cup, with much of the blame landing at the feet of both Michael Bradley and coach Ryan Nelsen. The consensus from some has been that Bradley hasn’t performed well since his time away with the national team and Nelsen is increasingly looking like he’s run out of ideas, whether it be tactically or involving substitutions.



One tactical move that adds depth is the acquisition of a versatile player, with Toronto trading its spot in the allocation order to the Houston Dynamo (who used it to bring in US international Demarcus Beasley) for Warren Creavalle, a quality player that has proven in his time with the Dynamo to be able to fill in at any midfield position and in defence.



Keep Thinking

This “401 Derby” doesn’t have the spice to it that is usually the case, particularly when a Voyageurs Cup and potential CONCACAF Champions League spot is on the line.



Speaking of CONCACAF Champions League, it will be interesting to see what squad Klopas puts out in this match with a midweek match against El Salvadorian side CD FAS looming. Sitting last in the Eastern Conference standings, there’s a prevailing opinion that Montreal’s focus should be on making a run in the CONCACAF Champions League and that the club should use these games beforehand as a way to get fringe and younger players meaningful minutes.



Toronto sit 4th in the East and the teams underneath are beginning to close the gap. The club still has games in hand but a once sure playoff position is now not so certain with upcoming games against the chasing pack in Columbus Crew, Sporting KC, Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union.



Tactically, the Impact will look to take advantage of wide play through Justin Mapp and Maxim Tissot. Both have provided the team with balance and an outlet in attack, something necessary when playing a goal-poaching forward in Jack McInerney. This makes the TFC fullbacks a crucial position defensively. Justin Morrow on the left and whomever Nelson plays on the right need to stay tight to Mapp and Tissot, deny crosses and avoid fouls around the danger area.



As for TFC, the speed off the bench through Dominic Oduro and Jackson will be an asset that could come into effect playing on the road. Both have impressed in short bursts, showing a willingness to take on defenders, exploit space and provide something different, especially going up against a constantly changing Impact back line that has seen numerous central defensive partnerships that are flawed, with the biggest flaw being an inability to deal with speed.



In the end

Ryan Nelsen has called this game a “Must Win” for Toronto FC and, when speaking about the senior management change within the Montreal Impact, Joey Saputo called the move “A signal to our fans that we want changes and to our players that it’s time to change.”



It is expected that Montreal is going to shuffle the deck in order to accommodate the CONCACAF Champions League and with the likes of Jermain Defoe, Dominic Oduro and Jackson playing in attack, they will all bring different challenges to a struggling Impact defence.



Prediction

Montreal Impact 1-2 Toronto FC