MLS Week 4 Canadian match thread

[TheKottonmouthed1555362307]

I have decided to try something that might not work, but I think one thread dedicated to all 3 Canadian clubs matchs by week could work. This could be a disaster.

Week four matches

Montreal Impact 3-0-0 vs New York Red Bulls 0-1-2. Saturday, March 23, 4:30pm EST @ Olympic Stadium

The Montreal Impact will be looking for its fourth consecutive win when the team takes on the New York Red Bulls this Saturday, at 4:30pm ET (live on TVA Sports and CJAD 800 AM).

The Red Bulls have the quality to be a team that can compete for the title,” said Impact head coach Marco Schällibaum. “We know we are in for a tough game. But, we are confident in ourselves after having earned all nine points in our three games and we are ready for this next challenge.”

“We have been very good on the counter attack,” said Patrice Bernier. “But, we need to make sure we don’t give the ball away too often to New York on Saturday. We have to move the ball around quicker and make ourselves more available to the ball carrier when we have possession.”

[With Nesta out] “I’m ready to play on either side of the backline, or in the centre if need be. You put in the hard work in practice to prepare for these scenarios,” said defender Jeb Brovsky. “So, we will be prepared for New York. We know that we will need a 90 plus minute performance against them to be successful and if we get the lead, we will have to continue to put pressure and not sit back too much like we may have done against Toronto.

The Impact went 1-2 in three games against the Red Bulls last season, losing the first matchup at Red Bulls Arena 5-2 on March 31. Forward Thierry Henry scored a hat trick in that one. Then, on May 19, the Impact fell 2-1 at Olympic Stadium. The Impact won the last game, topping New York at Stade Saputo 3-1 in Alessandro Nesta’s debut on July 28.

Kevin Hartman was just signed today by NYRB, Luyindula expected to make debut as well.

http://www.impactmontreal.com/en/news/2013/03/preview-impact-hosts-new-york-red-bulls-saturday-430pm

Key Players Out: MTL - Nesta, Nyassi, Tissot, Rivas, Ubiparipovic, Mapp (Probable) NYRB - Miller, Henry, Cahill

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-0-0 @ Houston Dynamo 1-1-0. Saturday, March 23, 5:30pm PST @ BBVA Compass Stadium

Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-0L-0D) go on the road for the first time this season as they travel to Texas for what could be an epic clash with 2012 MLS Cup runners-up Houston Dynamo (1W-1L-0D) this coming Saturday, March 23 at BBVA Compass Stadium.

This will be Vancouver's first match at BBVA Compass Stadium, where the Dynamo have never lost. In fact, Houston are currently riding a 32-match home unbeaten streak in all official competitions. The 'Caps will look to do what 18 teams have failed to do before them, beat Houston at home and extend their own winning start to their third MLS campaign.

Saturday’s match is the fourth all-time MLS meeting between the two clubs, with the Blue and White holding a 2W-1L-0D record against the Orange. Both victories for the 'Caps came at home - one at Empire Field in 2011 and the other at BC Place in 2012. Vancouver's lone loss was in the club's only visit to the Dynamo's former home at Robertson Stadium, a 3-1 defeat in 2011.

In the last MLS meeting between the ‘Caps and Dynamo last season, Vancouver claimed a 3-1 win with two goals coming from Darren Mattocks and one from Jordan Harvey.

Earlier this year, Whitecaps FC took on the Dynamo twice in preseason, with each team claiming a 2-1 win.

Prior to the MLS days, the 'Caps lost 1-0 at home to Houston Hurricane on June 2, 1979. Saturday will mark the 53rd time that Whitecaps FC play a club from the Lone Star State. Overall, Vancouver have a record of 30W-18L-4D against Texan clubs, including a 7W-15L-2D record in Texas.

Omar Cumming could make his debut for Houston.

http://www.whitecapsfc.com/news/2013/03/preview-whitecaps-fc-head-lone-star-state

Key Players Out: VAN - DeMerit, Salgado, Miller HOU - Davis, Garcia, Taylor, Carr, Bruin (Questionable)

Bye: Toronto FC

[Keano]

I have decided to try something that might not work, but I think one thread dedicated to all 3 Canadian clubs matchs by week could work. This could be a disaster.

Sure, why not. Nesta and Henry both out of the starting lineup for the match at the Big Owe.

[TheKottonmouthed1555362307]

Updated with previews and injuries/INT callups.

Also Luyindula and Cummings could make debuts for NY and Houston.

EDIT: Kevin Hartman signed by NYRB

[davey_twelve]

1-0 victory for Montreal against NYRB. Should have been a couple more goals in this game as sitters were missed from both sides.

[Keano]

Karl Ouimette was really, really good for 90 minutes.

[Dub Narcotic]

The effort is appreciated but the reddit match threads have good volume for most games now.

[smartlikefox]

Typical Whitecaps road performance.. 2 quickish goals sink them after bending but not breaking all game. Game was way too similar to the LA playoff game last season. Get the lead, have an top quality chance to make it 2-0.. fail to score and quickly go down 2-1.

Camillo was super unlucky for that ball to not cross the line as it instead hit both goal posts.

Other than that, Mattocks was better and Hurtado was ok going forward but defensively he was a mess and involved in both goals against.

Midfield was meh.. they held some possession well at times but also gave it away on a number of occassions.

Rochat may have been the worst starter imo.

[tmcmurph]

Not a good first half by Rochat or Lee who are usually our 2 most dependable players. They played much better in the second half. Houston is a tough team at home and yes it was very similar to the playoff game against LA last year. We really need to get the second goal. Hurtado showed some good skills but I hope Camilo starts next game. The FK hitting both posts and somehow staying out will be a highlight reel one.

Montreal still with no losses or draws four games into the season. Great start and keep it up.

[smartlikefox]

I'd expect Miller to slot back into his spot and replace Hurtado if he's good to go after the WCQ's.

[Macksam]

Karl Ouimette was really, really good for 90 minutes.

Good to hear.

Rochat may have been the worst starter imo.

He wasn't too bad. Reo-Coker stunk up the joint though. He's a guy that should've stepped up and took control of the midfield. Instead, Houston bossed the center of the park the entire first half. That's two straight bad games by him after his nice debut against Toronto.

I'd expect Miller to slot back into his spot and replace Hurtado if he's good to go after the WCQ's.

Even though Hurtado made a nice little pass to Mattocks for the goal, he really didn't offer much in that position. He didn't utilize his biggest, and probably only, strength in his speed. I think Teibert would've offered a lot more in his place.

[TheKottonmouthed1555362307]

The effort is appreciated but the reddit match threads have good volume for most games now.

Yeah, you are probably right.

On the games, MTL impressive again what a start to the year. KC next.

Vancouver was poor all night, yet could of put it away if Mattocks buries the second chance he had.

Hurtado was very poor. Somehow Hurtado was marking in the 6 yard box on both goals which is mind boggling. I was disappointed Camilo did not start he improved the club immensely once he came on.

[masster]

Question for those in Montreal...what is the buzz around the Impact in the city right now outside of the hardcore soccer crowd? Is their great start being lost because of the success of the Canadiens?

[smartlikefox]

Even though Hurtado made a nice little pass to Mattocks for the goal, he really didn't offer much in that position. He didn't utilize his biggest, and probably only, strength in his speed. I think Teibert would've offered a lot more in his place.

I know he's Canadian and all but I doubt it.. I watched him closely in the UVIC friendly they played in Vic last Saturday and while he wasn't bad, he really didn't do much to stand out like you'd expect vs a CDN university side, where as other border guys like Watson, Camillo and Hurtado did.

[Keano]

Question for those in Montreal...what is the buzz around the Impact in the city right now outside of the hardcore soccer crowd? Is their great start being lost because of the success of the Canadiens?

If it wasn't lost because of the success of the Habs it would be lost because of the lack of success of the Habs, so, no real surprises there.

[shawn_strat]

Question for those in Montreal...what is the buzz around the Impact in the city right now outside of the hardcore soccer crowd? Is their great start being lost because of the success of the Canadiens?

I have gotten a few comments/questions at work about the team. People are curious, but I don't think many people have been converted. There is still so much work to be done. I will be satisfied if there are at least 18500 for every game at Saputo.

[Mr.Impact]

Same here. It's beginning to peak the interest of the masses. Winning does that in this city. I suppose attendance will pick up into the summer months, as it did last year. 18500 for the moths of April, May, and parts of June, is realistic. Sellouts will be a more likely occurence starting in late June. Can't complain, and I suspect we'll be in the league leaders in attendance much like last year.

For those who want to relive Karl Ouimette's first start in MLS, and a behinds the scenes look at the 1-0 victory over RBNY ... have a look see

http://www.impactmontreal.com/en/news/2013/03/behind-every-win-karl-w-ouimette-first-mls-start

[Macksam]

I know he's Canadian and all but I doubt it.. I watched him closely in the UVIC friendly they played in Vic last Saturday and while he wasn't bad, he really didn't do much to stand out like you'd expect vs a CDN university side, where as other border guys like Watson, Camillo and Hurtado did.

Sometimes you play to the level of competition you're given. IMO, he still showed more in the few games he has played for the Caps senior side than Hurtado has thus far. Unless he's regressed significantly over the past two years, Teibert should still be a solid option.

Same here. It's beginning to peak the interest of the masses. Winning does that in this city. I suppose attendance will pick up into the summer months, as it did last year. 18500 for the moths of April, May, and parts of June, is realistic. Sellouts will be a more likely occurence starting in late June. Can't complain, and I suspect we'll be in the league leaders in attendance much like last year.

For those who want to relive Karl Ouimette's first start in MLS, and a behinds the scenes look at the 1-0 victory over RBNY ... have a look see

http://www.impactmontreal.com/en/news/2013/03/behind-every-win-karl-w-ouimette-first-mls-start

That was really nice of Ferrari to give him pre-game advice and calm his nerves.