Impact v Atlanta - Team News ...

The big news for the Impact is that Clement Diop begins in goal in place of Evan Bush. It’s the Frenchman’s first MLS appearance for Montreal, and brings to an end Evan’s run of 66 consecutive MLS starts for the club.

The last goalkeeper to play for the Impact in MLS that was not Evan Bush was Maxime Crepeau, who played in the last match of the 2017 season at home to New England (L2-3). This was also Patrice Bernier’s farewell performance.

Rod Fanni comes back into defence for Rudy Camacho following his ineligibility midweek, in the Canadian Championship. daniel Lovitz is also restored to the left-back role. Jukka Raitala is omitted.

Another Finn, Lassi Lappalainen is restored to the starting line-up, following his effective cameo appearance in Toronto. Taider also returns and the midfield quartet is completed by Sam Piette and Clement Bayiha.

Up front, it’s the pairing most Impact fans would prefer; Piatti and Bojan.

A pretty strong looking bench, includes Bush, Okwonkwo, Raitala, Urruti, Camacho, Sejdic and Shome.

For Atlanta, Josef Martinez misses out as expected.

Michael Parkhurst comes into a back three in place of Franco Escobar. 20-year-old Brandon Vazquez deposes for Josef Martinez, with the rest of the line-up predictable. Meram and Gressel play the wide roles, Pity Martinez and Emerson Hyndman join Vazquez in attack.


Line-ups -

IMFC - Diop - Sagna, Cabrera, Fanni, Lovitz - Bayiha, Piette, Taider, Lappalainen - Piatti, Bojan

Atlanta - Guzan - Parkhurst, Robinson, Gonzalez Pirez - Gressel, Nagbe, Larentowicz, Meram - P Martinez, Vazquez, Hyndman.


Match Officials -
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Assistant Referees: Cory Richardson, Gianni Facchini
4th Official: Fotis Bazakos
VAR: Geoff Gamble