Sporting Kansas will play at Saputo Stadium against the Montreal Impact on Saturday for the second time this season. It's a match with a lot at stake for both sides as Sporting are fighting for the Supporters' Shield and Montreal are battling for a playoff spot.
I interviewed Montreal Impact radio commentator, Rick Moffat of CJAD 800, ahead of Saturday's match.
On Montreal's season
"There certainly were growing pains for a lot of points, leads, and games that ultimately slipped away on them. And then they really got on a roll this summer as they got things together. They got used to Jesse Marsch. They got used to each other and this team has made a pretty serious run at the playoffs."
"They've got to win the four remaning games and have some other cards fall in place so its an extreme longshot heading into the final weeks. But there's a lot people who didn't expect this team to contend for that fifth spot in the East so up to this point its been a very successful debut season in MLS."
On Montreal's success at home, struggles on the road
"That's been the great mystery. When we've seen this team win at home, they've had their moments and its almost like we were reminded how this team is still learning to win. Because sometimes just when you think they'd score a goal to put a team away, they've found ways to let teams back into games. Whether that's giveaways or momentary lapses, what you might call unforced errors on the pitch, and those are the kinds of things that have allowed games to get away from them.
"On the road at times, they've often been competitive but they've let leads slip away. They've had precious few games where teams really took it to them. Maybe early in the year they had a couple of those games but the split personality of this team home and away that's mirrored by a lot of clubs. In MLS, it's really tough to go on the road and get your results. I think the Impact can write it off to learning their system and learning confident play with one another."
On Marco Di Vaio
"He came with great fanfare and extremely high expectations. Lots of Montrealers knew what he was capable of. He and (Alessandro) Nesta certainly have their international followings in Montreal. There's a strong Italian community here and that runs right into the ownership group of the Montreal Impact. When Di Vaio arrived, everybody expected him to start scoring immediately. He began with a goal drought and far many more offsides rushes than true scoring opportunities but you could see the true world class skill. It took time for him to get comfortable playing with those around him."
On Montreal's approach to Saturday's match
"It's been really tough to gauge at times. There have been some games we expected the Impact to come out full guns blazing to try and set up some chances and they've taken a more patient approach.
"There have been other games where the Impact have come flying out of the gates and had numerous opportunities in early minutes. The visiting clubs have weathered the storm and and then we've settle in for some tough, intense games. It's really hard to say whethey by strategy they'll have a killer instinct in those opening minutes. I think Jesse Marsch is quite prepared. There's too much on the line in these four remaining games for him to suddenly become a riverboat gambler."
On supporters in Montreal's first MLS season
"It's been very interesting to watch how this team has built up its following. The Ultras, the hardcore fans have a fantastic time singing and dancing on their feet, by the hundreds through the entire game. They've electrified fans and of course tried to get into the ear of opposing goalkeepers. The crowds, when the Impact early in the season were indoors at Olympic stadium, for their home opener and Beckham's appearance, was an awesome spectacle. It was 60,000 plus. And I think Montrealers expected every home game to be sold out there after but there were growing pains. Montrealers demand a winner, whether thats in hockey or Canadian football, the expectation is a winner.
"A strong finish, even if it doesn't carry them into the playoffs, will really set them up for contention and repeated sell-outs in MLS season 2."
On key players for Montreal (besides Di Vaio)
"Nesta's been a tremendously skill defender and a lockdown guy. He's not as big and physical as other defenders around MLS but always in position and always calm and collected."
"Patrice Bernier has been a fan favorite. A local boy from the Montreal area, their designated shooter on penalties, and therefore the team leader in goals. He's been very much a workhorse and when he's hustling the Impact have their best chances for success."
"Their flashiest player though inconsistent, is Felipe, the young Brazilian talent. With a flying scissor kick, he scored one of the if not the best Impact goal of the season then second best of the season. Felipe, when he's at his best, is probably the most electrifying player Impact have."
