Hernandez Elevates Relentless Olimpia

Much-travelled Eddie Hernandez last evening launched himself onto Montreal Impact’s radar ahead of their meeting with CD Olimpia on Tuesday night.

His hat-trick, the first goals he’s scored for Olimpia since returning from Al Ta’ee in Saudi football in July, ensured a ninth successive victory for a side in tip-top form.

After opening the scoring against Marathon, who defeated Forge FC in the CONCACAF League in midweek, the tall striker completed his hat-trick with further goals in the 46th and 74th minutes.

So it’s not only top-scorer Jerry Bengtson Impact need to keep close eyes on.

Lahera’s equalizer for Marathon was the first goal conceded by Olimpia in 7 games.

Olimpia won the game 3-1 at the home of the side which top Group A in the Honduran Apertura.

Manager, the former Argentine international Pedro Troglio, has his team well-balanced and purring nicely as they prepare to face the Impact.

Interestingly this game was not originally scheduled to take place over this weekend. Olimpia were expecting not to play for nine days prior to the Champions League tie, but local footballing authorities deemed otherwise.

Given Montreal’s hampered preparation, it’s hard to tell whether playing so close to the big game will prove counter-productive for the Hondurans.

In 14 league games since the resumption of football in Honduras, CD Olimpia have won 10 and drawn 4. They have also won two CONCACAF League ties without conceding a goal.

In their last 30 outings, they’ve only twice, both times to bitter rival Motagua, whom they have defeated twice since.

MLS is considered a higher level of football than what’s on offer in Honduras’ Liga National, but with Montreal’s depleted squad and Olimpia already a goal to the good and in the winning habit, the Impact’s task looks a steep one.

It’s not impossible though and not having to face a hostile 2nd Leg home crowd in Tegucigalpa certainly works to Montreal's advantage.

Roll on, Tuesday evening....