:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13944699/168638276.0.jpg)
For those who may not remember, on March 30th, the Impact played their worst game in a long time against this same Sporting Kansas City team. From kickoff to the final whistle, the Montreal Impact were outdone in every possible category and were lucky to have only lost by a score of 2-0.
This is a statement game for the Montreal Impact. They need to prove that the last match up was just a bad game and that they can, in fact, take on any team in the MLS.
Mount Royal Soccer invited Ben Gartland from The Daily Wiz in Kansas City to give you an inside look on this Saturday's opponent.
The last time these two teams met, SKC put on a Soccer clinic and easily won the game 2-0. Was that just a bad game by the Impact or are SKC really that good? Do you think that this game will be a repeat performance?
I think in that game Sporting played out of their minds. They dominated in the midfield and got the forwards the ball to create plenty of chances. I don't think this will be a repeat performance we are missing Graham Zusi and Matt Besler on international duty and Montreal has just dominated since then. I think it will be much closer this time around.
Which player is on a hot streak as of late? Which player has been underperforming?
Kei Kamara has been on a hot streak lately. He has scored two goals in his past two games and recently got his first start since he returned on Tuesday. He's certainly looked like he has learned something at Norwich. I can't really think of anyone who's been underperforming except for Benny Feilhaber. He's been very serviceable, but maybe not as good as people thought he would be when we traded for him.
SKC are currently 3rd in the Eastern conference with 22 points after 14 games played. They trail the Red Bulls (1st) by 3 points although SKC has played one less game. They also trail the Impact (2nd) by 1 point but Montreal has played 3 less games. Do you think that SKC has what it takes to challenge for the top spot and/or make a deep playoff run?
This is the exact same team that won the East last year minus Roger Espinoza and plus Claudio Bieler. This team is built to be very strong in the East. Sporting is also 4-0-1 against the top 5 teams in the East. If Sporting gets into the playoffs they can really show what they've been doing against top teams this season.
Starting XI and formation:
Nielsen, Myers, Olum, Collin, Sinovic, Rosell, Nagamura, Feilhaber, Kamara, Bieler, Peterson. 4-3-3
Predicted result: 1-0 Sporting. Goal by Peterson.