Piette Leads Race to Be Impact’s Next Centurion

Saphir Taider’s latest injury looks like ensuring Samuel Piette will become the next Impact player to reach 100 appearances (all comps) in the MLS-era. He will be the 11th player to do so.

Should Sam maintain his consistency and remain injury-free, he’ll reach the milestone in the October 27 clash at Red Bull Arena when Impact meet Nashville SC for the first time ever.

Currently sitting on 94 to Taider’s 87 (83+4), Piette has displayed admirable consistency under four different coaches, clocking up his 94 appearances within the span of Impact’s last 108 matches. Taider’s 87 appearances have come in the last 95 Impact matches, so depending on the Algerian’s return to fitness he could still make his 100th appearance faster than Piette.

Either way the relatively few games missed is testimony to each man’s resolve and consistency.

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The only other player than comes close is Anthony Jackson-Hamel, tied on 87 (29+58) apps with Taider, however it’s taken AJH longer to reach that number, and he’s unlikely to hit the century before either of the others.

Piette will be the second Quebec-born player to reach the milestone after Patrice Bernier, and Taider the second African after Dominic Oduro. Taider will also be the fourth European-born player to reach the mark after Hassoun Camara, Laurent Ciman and perhaps surprisingly, Calum Mallace.

All three are less than half-way to Evan Bush’s record for all comps at 205 apps, but a little closer to Patrice Bernier’s record of 184 for an outfield player.