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For Montreal Impact, play-off prospects remain in their own hands, but it’s getting to that part of the season where you will want to look around at other results because so much could still be dependent on what happens elsewhere.
So we’ve taken a look at the teams from the East in action this evening and tomorrow to see who our preferred winners and losers should be...
In the games scheduled for today/this evening the preferred outcome is a Houston win at Inter Miami. Beckham’s team sits five points behind Montreal with a game more played, and with Houston playing in the opposite Conference, it’s easy for an Impact fan to side with he Dynamo in this one. The preferred outcome will keep a good arm’s length of distance from Miami, currently outside the play-off zone.
And in the evening’s other big game Impact fans will be rooting for the first-half of a NY double to come up. Should temporary landlords, Red Bulls, defeat Jaap Stam’s Atlanta it ensures The Five Stripes remain a couple of points behind. It would take the Red Bulls three points ahead of the Impact who at least have the chance to make that up on Sunday night.
NYCFC to defeat the Revs is the next selection, a Sunday night game. Straightforward this one. The New Yorkers sit six points clear of the Impact and New England only two, so are the more catchable opposition in the table. A New York double this weekend will spell good news for Impact chances.
Chicago sits four points below Montreal, so rare win for DC United is the preferred selection in this one. Chad Ashton has replaced Ben Olsen as temporary head coach. How many times have you seen a coaching change revitalize a losing team? Or is DC United just too bad at the moment. Will be watching this one with interest. Won’t be surprised should an upset occur.
FC Cincinnati are 7 points adrift of the Impact, but whisper it here, it’s still best if the Reds puts Cincy to bed, just in case the Ohioans have any designs in picking up form any time soon.
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The Orlando - Columbus clash is one that matters little in the Impact scheme of things, each side going well (OK, Crew’s last three games have not been stellar) and beyond catchable for the Montrealers.
And finally, expansion side Nashville SC sits only 2 points behind the Impact so a home win for SKC in Kansas is the preferred result in this one. Another one Impact fans should keep a keen eye on. It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Nashville rise above Montreal by the close of weekend activities.
Let’s hope not. The best way to ensure this doesn’t occur is for Montreal to dismantle the Union and bring three points back to Montreal.... errr, New Jersey...