LAVAL, Quebec – The Montreal Impact got next weekend off from MLS, and they’re most grateful for it.
Two-and-a-half weeks ago, the Imapct and New York Red Bulls re-scheduled their Saturday game to October 7. Instead, the Impact will hop on a plane to perhaps their biggest game yet as an MLS franchise. Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League awaits.
When they faced Pachuca in the CCL quarterfinals, the Impact travelled to Mexico 16 days before kickoff. The extended stay in enemy territory helped them deal with the altitude and secure a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
Such a lengthy preparation period is impossible this time, as Montreal take a 2-0 advantage to Alajuelense’s ground for the second leg of the semifinals. But they’ll be able to train twice in Costa Rica, adjust to the humidity and, in certain cases, get some healing time.
“I think that it’s good that the league was able to move the game,” head coach Frank Klopas told reporters after practice on Tuesday. “It would be hard, because some of the injuries we have right now, playing in the two tournaments, it’s not that easy. It’s good. We can really prepare, get some guys the extra rest they need to make sure they’re really ready and sharp to go.”
With one winger, Justin Mapp, out for months due to elbow surgery, Montreal want to give their options out wide the best possible chance to contribute.
Dilly Duka came off with tightness in his left leg at halftime in the first game of the semis, but has returned to light training. Andres Romero, who skipped the first game of the season with a quad injury, has made substitute appearances in the last two MLS games.
“We have to see how the guys feel. It plays a lot into how we’re going to approach the game,” Klopas said. “We have some guys that are fast. But at the end of the day, [Alajuelense] are the team that has to come out and push the game to score. We can keep the game at 0-0, and we go through. We have to manage the game. We know they’re going to come out hard. They’re playing at home, with their atmosphere. We just have to be mentally ready and be prepared for a fast start for them.”
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At the back, postponing Saturday’s game dismisses worries of another kind. Laurent Ciman and Maxim Tissot will indeed be back from international duty with Belgium and Canada, respectively, in midweek. They will thus get time to settle back in Montreal and travel with the team to Costa Rica.
Goalkeeper Evan Bush, meanwhile, has returned to full fitness after sitting out last Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Orlando with a thigh injury.
“Right now, [Bush is] 100 percent,” Klopas said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen next week, but yeah… 200 percent.”
