

Posted by

Kamal Hylton ,

May 9, 2014 Email

Kamal Hylton

On Twitter:

@KamalHylton

First Thoughts

Coming off its first win of the MLS season in a 1-0 victory over Philadelphia Union, the Montreal Impact look to bounce back from a 2-1 loss midweek against FC Edmonton in the Canadian Championship when they host the defending MLS Cup champions and current Eastern Conference leaders Sporting KC at Stade Saputo.



Montreal will be looking for a measure of revenge against its Eastern Conference rivals. The two teams met only weeks earlier with Sporting running away as 4-0 winners. A Callum Mallace own goal was punctuated by second half goals from Aurelien Collin and a pair from Dominic Dwyer.



Keep Thinking

Coach Frank Klopas chose to rest some key players ahead of this match, but ahead of the second leg against FC Edmonton at Stade Saputo the line-up for this match could also have a few changes.



One of the main questions ahead of this match will be whether the duo of Marco Di Vaio and Jack McInerney will partner each other up front? Or will Di Vaio play up front as the lone forward?



Sporting KC are one of the top defensive sides in the league and are coming in off a 2-0 victory over Columbus Crew. Peter Vermes will have a game plan set in place if his opposite number plans to play Di Vaio and McInerney together and he will do so with a full strength defensive unit seeing Aurelien Collin return from a red card suspension.



Tactically and stylistically this is a match that has seen its fair share of physicality but there's also an interesting contrast in how both sides attack, from a Kansas City perspective the key will be stretching the field in the wide positions through Dwyer, Graham Zusi and Sal Zizzo. The speed of those three players can not only expose a defence that has proven to be static at times, it can also keep Montreal deep in their own end for long periods of time through high pressure, something that severely hinders and exhausts a counter attacking side like the Impact.



As for Montreal, the movement of Felipe and the wide play of Justin Mapp will be essential to breaking down the defending champions defence. When the Brazilian is at his best, he will be able to attract the attention of not only the central defensive partnership of Collin and Matt Besler but also the defensive midfield and more specifically the Spaniard Oriol Rosell. Getting proper service from Mapp into the 18-yard box and into space for the likes of Di Vaio and McInerney will be crucial to putting the visitors on the back foot.



Final Thoughts

A looming return leg in the Canadian Championship could serve as a minor distraction and at the very least force some tweaks to the line-up. However, with that match being at home, Klopas and the squad can put full focus on Sporting KC.



While another 4-0 defeat isn't likely, this is still a tough match for the Impact going up against a Sporting KC side that is back to full strength and showing signs of rounding into form.



Prediction

Montreal Impact 1-3 Sporting KC