The Montreal Impact expect to be without Chris Duvall, Kyle Fisher, Zakaria Diallo, David Choiniere and Louis Beland-Goyette due to injuries.DC United’s injury list consists of Taylor Kemp, Nick DeLeon and Chris Odoi-Atsem, but Paul Arriola returns from suspension. Wayne Rooney’s questionable with a broken nose.
Montreal Impact
Suspended: None
Doubtful: None
Injured/unavailable: Kyle Fisher (shin), Zakaria Diallo (Achilles tendon), David Choiniere (ankle), Louis Beland-Goyette (foot), Chris Duvall (undisclosed)
DC United
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Wayne Rooney (nose)
Injured/unavailable: Taylor Kemp (groin), Chris Odoi-Atsem (calf), Nick DeLeon (knee)
MATCH PREVIEW
MAIN PREDICTION: HOME WIN
The Montreal Impact lost for just the third time in the last ten league matches (six wins, one draw) as they were edged 2-1 at home by MLS leaders Atlanta Utd last weekend. They allowed goals in the 31st and 57th minutes and then attempted a late comeback when Ignacio Piatti scored his 11th goal of the season in the 87th minute. They couldn’t find an equalizer though and remain in sixth place in the East with 28 points, but are just one point in front of the seventh place Philadelphia Union. The Impact’s home record is middle of the pack this season at seven wins and four defeats, but they had won five in a row with four clean sheets before losing to Atlanta last weekend.
DC United won for the second time at their new Audi Field Stadium as they slipped past the Colorado Rapids 2-1 last Saturday. Newly-appointed captain Wayne Rooney scored his first ever MLS goal to give United the lead after 33 minutes, but Colorado tied the affair with eight minutes to go. DC then caught a break as Niki Jackson scored an own goal in the 90th minute to give the home side all three points. They were definitely needed as well since DC United has just 17 points on the year and are in 11th and last place in the East. Reaching the playoffs isn’t impossible though as they trail both Montreal and the New England Revolution by 11 points, but have three games in hand on each of them. It won’t be easy though as DC has only two wins in their past nine outings along with four losses and three draws. They are back on the road this week where they have managed just seven points with a lone win, four draws and eight defeats and are winless in six with three draws and three defeats.
Montreal has been impressive in MLS over the past two months and are fighting to hang on to their playoff position. They should be able to beat a DC United team that has just one away victory.
SECOND PREDICTION: FIRST HALF HAD – HOME WIN
The Montreal Impact has trailed at half time just five times in 23 league matches while DC United has led in only six of 18 games. I expect the Impact to be in front at the half.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams met twice in MLS in 2017 with the Montreal Impactwinning 2-0 at home and 1-0 away. Montreal is unbeaten in the last six league outings with four wins and two draws.