Impact have chance to avenge loss to Revolution (May 03, 2018)
One month ago, the Montreal Impact headed into a match against the New England Revolution on a high. This time around, things are looking low.
Montreal has lost four straight, a streak that began at the hands of the Revolution in New England. Now on their home turf, the Impact look to snap the skid when they host the Revolution on Saturday afternoon.
"I think it's a game that we look back at and know that it wasn't a good representation of the matchup between the two teams," defender Daniel Lovitz told TVA Sports. "We know that we're a quality side and we didn't really get to show that the last time that we played."
The Impact (2-6-0) dropped a 4-0 decision to the Revolution in that meeting and have been outscored 16-5 during their current slide. Their 21 goals against are the most allowed in the MLS this season.
Montreal is also struggled in the second half of late, conceding four goals after halftime in each of its past two games.
Injuries and suspensions on defense haven't helped. But in a young season with few bright spots, there could be some coming.
Victor Cabrera is slated to return from a one-game suspension and, after suffering an injury on April 14, Rod Fanni could be back on the pitch against New England alongside fellow Frenchman Rudy Camacho for the first time.
"I like Rudy because he's a good player; he's a good guy also," Fanni told reporters. "It's frustrating because we want to play together and every day we say: 'When?' We try every day, but we hope very soon we'll be together and we're able to give our maximum to the team."
The Revolution (4-2-2) are feeling much better than their opponent, snapping Sporting Kansas City's seven-game unbeaten streak last week with a 1-0 win. Coach Brad Friedel has guided his squad to three wins in its last five games and the club heads to Montreal with wins in five straight against the Impact in MLS play.
Yet even with confidence they aren't taking Saturday's match lightly.
"I know they've lost four in a row, but they are a dangerous team," Friedel said. "They're not a team that is -- in a lot of bulk minutes in the games that they have lost, they haven't been the second-best team. It won't be an easy game, and it's going to be away from home."
New England posted its third shutout of the season with the win over Kansas City. One of the others came against Montreal last month.
The Revolution have been one of the stingiest in MLS this season, allowing only eight goals -- second fewest in the league.
"The whole team defends really well. It starts up at the top with Teal (Bunbury) back to the goalkeeper with Matt (Turner), that's been brilliant," defender Gabriel Somi said. "We put in a lot of work during the weekends and it gives a result against the team we play."
Bunbury leads the Revolution with four goals, all scored in the past five games. He was held off the scoresheet once in those games, the only time during that stretch the team failed to get at least one point.
