Get to Know: #IMFC
- Updated: March 18, 2015
Photo credit: Chris Aduama/aduamaphotography.com
With a tough, two-game roadstand to start the regular season behind them, the Revolution will kick off their home slate against the Montreal Impact on Sunday at 3:00pm.
The Impact will enter the match fresh off of their first leg CONCACAF Champions League semifinal clash at Olympic Stadium in Montreal against Alajuelense (Costa Rica) on Wednesday. Frank Klopas’ side have only played one league match to date, a 1-0 loss to D.C. United at RFK Stadium on Mar. 7.
Here are a few thing to know about the Impact:
-While his club struggled in league play last season, Klopas never lost sight of the significance of the Canadian Championship, with an eye toward CONCACAF Champions League. That focus paid off in a big way, as the Impact not only claimed countrywide bragging rights by winning the 2014 championship, but also advanced to the Champions League semifinals after a dramatic 1-1 draw with Pachuca. The Impact are only the second Canadian side to reach the Champions League semifinals.
-Despite their last-place finish in 2014, Montreal certainly didn’t lay down for the Revolution during their three meetings. On May 31, Andres Romero put the Impact on the board inside of three minutes, and they never looked back en route to a 2-0 win. Revolution fans will recall that match as the start of their team’ eight-game losing streak, which lasted nearly two months. In the sequel, the Revolution grabbed a 2-1 win on Sept. 13, but the contest was not without controversy as Jermaine Jones took issue with Callum Mallace’s physicality. The Oct. 11 rubber match was a back-and-forth affair that ended 2-2, with longtime Revolution nemesis Marco Di Vaio scoring both Impact goals.
-With the focus still fixed on Champions League play, Klopas will likely use a second-choice selection for Saturday’s game. Even so, the Revolution can’t approach the match too confident. After all, it was an Impact B-team that got the jump on the Revolution early in their Sept. 13, 2014 clash at Gillette Stadium.
-Should Klopas be tempted to use a first-choice XI, he won’t have longtime Revolution nemesis Justin Mapp at his disposal. The winger broke his left arm during their First Kick matchup at D.C., and is facing a four-month recovery. Another player who won’t suit up is Andres Romero, who’s currently on the shelf with a quad injury.
-The Impact added a few faces during the offseason that should be familiar to Revolution supporters, though for all the wrong reasons. Bakary Soumare, who verbally sparred with a member of the Revolution training staff during a 2013 encounter, joined the club during the winter. Another player new to the Impact is Eric Alexander, who scored in a 2-0 Red Bulls win over the Revolution on Jun. 8. Last, but not least, Dominic Orduro, a speedy striker who’s given the locals fits over the year, is another newcomer to Klopas’ squad.
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