Mount Royal Soccer - Montreal Impact vs Pachuca : CONCACAF Champions LeagueLa Vie en Bleuhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50925/mrs-fav.png2015-02-26T08:10:02-05:00http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/rss/stream/78641422015-02-26T08:10:02-05:002015-02-26T08:10:02-05:00Impact vs Pachuca : Player Ratings
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<p>Player ratings of the Montreal Impact players after a spectacular draw at Pachuca and a dominant performance from newcomer Laurent Ciman.</p> <p>The Montréal Impact walked away from Estadio Hidalgo with the result they were looking for last night, getting a 2-2 draw and, most importantly, two away goals. They will now go home with a distinct advantage in the return leg, with draws of 0-0 or 1-1 good enough to advance through to the CCL semifinals.</p>
<p>As was probably to be expected, their Mexican counterparts put the pressure on early, keying in on the right channel where our perceived weakness lay. Their star youngster Jurgen Damm was a danger early on, and the defense needed to be on full alert, as crosses and corners came in aplenty.</p>
<p>The Impact were able to weather this storm, and were even able to score a goal against the run of play, thanks to a brilliant piece of skill by <span>Dilly Duka</span> in the 25th minute. Duka would score early in the second off of another counter move, before Pachuca rallied to tie it up.</p>
<p>A bit of misfortune played a part on both Pachuca goals, as did fatigue and a bit of over aggressiveness. Ciman's foul (albeit questionable) resulted in a free kick outside the box that led to Pachuca's first goal, while a bad read and subsequent missed tackle by Donadel near the center of the pitch led to their second goal.</p>
<p>Both plays probably could have been avoided, but I'd rather see aggressive plays that go wrong than meek ones.<br><br>Anyways, onto the ratings!</p>
<h4>K: <span>Evan Bush</span> - 6/10</h4>
<p>Shaky first match for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Impact's</a> keeper. Didn't look super confident in net, and was a step slow reading the development of Pachuca's attacks. His performance was a snapshot of his 2014 season, always a bit to slow on ball recoveries and anticipating play in the box.</p>
<h4>CB: Laurent Ciman - 8/10</h4>
<p>An extremely solid first game for the Belgian import. From start to finish, Ciman displayed the kind of conviction and determination required from your starting centerback. His defensive clearances, especially early on in the contest when much of the Impact looked shaky, gave the team the confidence it needed to push forward. People can harp on his errors that led to the goals, but without Ciman, we aren't in a position to win last night.</p>
<h4>CB: <span>Bakary Soumare</span> - 7/10</h4>
<p>Not quite as solid as his partner, Bakary still managed to get the job done last night. Despite a few mental gaffes in the box, the Malian-American cleared his lines quite well, and was fairly sharp throughout the contest.</p>
<h4>LB: <span>Donny Toia</span> - 6/10</h4>
<p>It looked like it was going to be a tough night early on for the recently acquired American, who had his hands full with the ever dangerous, Jurgen Damm. The converted winger looked like a fish out of water in the first 20 minutes, as Pachuca focused their attack almost completely on his side of the pitch. Despite the rough start, Toia recovered well, especially in the second half, where Damm and Co. threatened far less down the right.</p>
<h4>RB: Victor Cabrera - 7.5/10</h4>
<p>Considering it was his first action as a fullback in his career, I thought Cabrera had a very nice showing. He was strong in the tackle, anticipated passes very well, and was solid in the air. He began to tire in the later stages of the game, and began to play less aggressively, which got him into a bit of trouble. Overall though, I was impressed.</p>
<h4>DM: Marco Donadel - 8/10</h4>
<p>Very impressive debut for the Italian midfielder. Like Ciman and Cabrera, he was excellent at anticipating Pachuca's movements, and was instrumental in turning the ball over and starting IMFC counter attacks. His rating would have been higher if not for a bad missed tackle that led to the Pachuca equalizer.</p>
<h4>DM: <span>Nigel Reo-Coker</span> - 5/10</h4>
<p>Easily the most underwhelming player on the pitch for the Impact. Didn't have a lot touches, and when he did, he was slow in his distribution. Looked a step behind everyone else on the pitch. I'm sure he'll figure it out, but was simply not as ready for the fixture as were the rest of his teammates.</p>
<h4>LM: Dilly Duka - 9/10</h4>
<p>Can't say enough about Dilly's performance. Maybe not the best start with couple of subpar first touches in the first 15 minutes, but he quickly made up for it with a phenomenal goal in the 25' minute. He gained confidence from that point forward and he never looked back. Solid on the ball, and his decision-making was excellent. Full value on both goals.</p>
<h4>CAM: Ignacio Piatti - 8/10</h4>
<p>Nacho was everything you would expect from a DP midfielder. His first touch was excellent and did a very good job of stabilizing the Impact's counterattacks to create some bona fide chances. Was the most exciting player on the pitch, in my opinion.</p>
<h4>RW: <span>Justin Mapp</span> - 7.5/10</h4>
<p>Bit of an uneven performance by Mapp, but generally made the most of his time on the ball, which was rare. Despite the fact that he's a fairly one-footed player, made an excellent decision on the second Impact goal by moving it out to his lesser-used right foot to get a shot on net. He also did well to find empty spaces in the Pachuca defense to carve out some counter attacking opportunities. Looked extremely gassed by about the 70 minute mark, but overall a nice first run-out by the American winger.</p>
<h4>Striker: <span>Dominic Oduro</span> - 6/10</h4>
<p>Oduro was okay in his first game for the Impact. Used his speed well to get out into empty spaces, but more often was let down by his first, or second touch. His speed forced Pachuca to not go full-out attack, but rarely created much when he was given an opportunity to run at defenders 1 v 1. A decent first outing, but not much more.</p>
<h4>DM: Callum Mallace - 8/10</h4>
<p>Was very good in his short stint on the pitch. First touch was excellent, and moved the ball quickly and efficiently. Seems like he's picked off where he left off after a breakout season last year.</p>
<h4>RW: Cameron Porter - 6.5/10</h4>
<p>Didn't play too much of a part in the contest, but overall was a positive sub. Kept the ball well enough, and tracked back quickly on defense when called upon. Considering the fact that the Impact was hanging on by a thread when he came on, he did a good job of neutralizing Pachuca's left flank movements.</p>
<h4>RB: <span>Hassoun Camara</span> - 5.5/10</h4>
<p>Camara was reportedly injured coming into the match and it showed. Slow in the tackle, Hassoun was a step behind the action for most of his 20 minutes on the pitch. He was booked on a very late tackle, and never really looked comfortable.</p>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2015/2/26/8112307/impact-vs-pachuca-concacaf-champions-league-player-ratingsNoah Markowicz2015-02-25T12:00:03-05:002015-02-25T12:00:03-05:00Victorious formation ?
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<p>The 4-2-3-1 formation helped the Montreal Impact get a great result against Pachuca and will again in the future</p> <h4>Was the 4-2-3-1 a success?</h4>
<p>Before I answer that, I'd like to qualify the team a bit. Yes, it was our first competitive match of the season. Yes, we're not used to playing at altitude. However, even with those issues, I think our success last night (and it was a success, despite the draw) has everything to do with our formation, and the discipline we've picked up this off season as a result of playing only that formation.</p>
<p>So, with that in mind, here is why I think the 4-2-3-1 worked wonders last night and will again.</p>
<h5>1. It gave our forwards dual purpose.</h5>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2015/2/19/8065531/montreal-impact-starting-lineup-pre-season-speculation">I've talked about this before in my pre-season line-up speculation</a>, but having a dual purpose forward makes your attack more dynamic and more confusing for an opponent. Dilly Duka's first goal came from a decoy run by Oduro, and Ignacio Piatti's missed shot was only achievable because <span>Dominic Oduro</span> had drawn the defense back with an excellent decoy run.</p>
<p>The Pachuca defence can never abandon our man up top, knowing if they do he is bound to score. It freed up the attacking midfield to do the heavy lifting, while Oduro played the role of constant threat perfectly.</p>
<h5>2. The spine is the strength</h5>
<p>Our centrebacks (Laurent Ciman, <span>Bakary Soumare</span>) and CDMs (Marco Donadel and <span>Nigel Reo-Coker</span>) were simply amazing last night. Argue all you want about semantics and whether or not they could be better - but Donadel's defensive tackling, Ciman's quick handling of incoming attackers and Reo-Coker's quick distribution all ensured that our defensive third was well manned.</p>
<p>The only fault I can really place here is a miscommunication between Ciman and <span>Evan Bush</span> that led to a goal. However, this issue was discussed at length last year when Bush made several errors in judgement , with <span>Hassoun Camara</span> and <span>Matteo Ferrari</span>, that cost us. I'm willing to lay the blame here on Bush's communication skills and judgement. He's just not at an elite level yet.</p>
<p>That being said, our defense was nailed down well enough, and we ensured there were no major gaps between the midfield and the defense (like in a 4-4-2).</p>
<h5>3. The attacking midfield three reacted well to defensive pressure.</h5>
<p>Pachuca really worked hard to shut Piatti down, throwing nearly everyone in their midfield into the job during the evening (watch Piatti's shot on goal for an example, he was surrounded). This was probably Klopas' expectation, as the ‘release valves' in the attacking third were <span>Justin Mapp</span> and <span>Dilly Duka</span>, who performed better than anyone would have expected. Duka's goals were well timed, and executed swiftly. Mapp shot well, crossed even better and proved to be the most dangerous man on the right in that stadium.</p>
<p>Our 4-2-3-1 is not perfect, and this was only our first outing - but there is a reason why major leagues in France and Italy line up in this formation. Last night, we saw why. Even Pachuca lined up in a 4-2-3-1, and maintained the balance of possession and managed to equalize the match.</p>
<p>Every team develops a tactical culture over time. <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a> lines up in a 4-3-3, no debates or questions. They have since 2012, and they've been a huge success. We should follow suit with our own formation.</p>
<p>If I were a betting man (and I'm not), I'd wager that <span>Frank Klopas</span>' legacy in Montréal will be our adoption of a permanent 4-2-3-1. After last night, we know it can work against even the toughest opponents. There's no reason it can't carry us to success in MLS as well.</p>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2015/2/25/8107367/montreal-impact-vs-pachuca-formation-responsible-for-victoryC. Ralph2015-02-25T00:46:41-05:002015-02-25T00:46:41-05:00Tout se décidera à Montréal
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<p>Dans un match chaudement disputé au Mexique, l'Impact prend les hôtes par surprise et mène 2-0. Les Mexicains répondront par deux fois, eux aussi, mais c'est bien l'IMFC qui sort de ce duel avec un avantage! </p> <h5>Formations de départs:</h5>
<p>Pachuca: Perez, Pizarro, Mosquera, Herrera, Olvera, De Buen, Sornoza, Guiterrez, Damm, Lozano, Cano.</p>
<p>Impact: Bush, Toia, Ciman, Soumaré, Cabrera, Donadel, Reo-Coker, Duka, Piatti, Mapp, Oduro.</p>
<h5>Duka, shérif à Pachuca.</h5>
<p>C'est presque une nouvelle équipe qui amorce ce match de quart de finale de la Ligue des Champions de la Concacaf, sept nouveaux joueurs sont dans le onze partant. Beaucoup d'interrogations sur la chimie, l'entente qu'aura cette nouvelle formation de l'Impact de Montréal. D'ailleurs, dès les premiers instants, Laurent Ciman doit se signaler sur un centre venu de la gauche offensive de Pachuca.</p>
<p>Les attaques sur les ailes, comme prévues, frappent rapidement. Lozano se distingue durant les premières minutes face à un Cabrera plutôt attentiste. Si les Mexicains dominent autant en ce début de match, c'est surtout dû au manque de synchronisation entre les joueurs du bleu-blanc-noir, un problème qui se règle plus le temps passe et aussi la solidité de la défense.</p>
<p>Le plan de match de Klopas est clair, un bloc compact, bas et qui attend les contre-attaque via Mapp, Piatti, bien marqué, mais surtout un <span>Dilly Duka</span> en fusion qui ouvre la marque à la 25e minute! Un but qui ne plaira pas aux esthètes, né sur un contre, le numéro onze de l'Impact déboule sur la gauche, coupe au centre et frappe. Une frappe pas trop forte, mais contrée et donc croisée qui trompe Perez. À noter, un contre rapidement enclenché entre Reo-Coker, Toia et Duka, mais surtout un appel de Oduro qui embarque la défense adverse permettant à Duka de placer son tir.</p>
<p><span>Les chances de Pachuca viennent en grande partie sur les coups de pied arrêtés, surtout les corners. Par ailleurs, Laurent </span><span>Cimen se distingue en dominant les airs en patron. Bien que les latéraux abandonnent énormément de corners, Damm et Lozano n'arrivent plus à les fixer avec la facilité des premières minutes. </span></p>
<h5><i>Un mano a mano para un dos a dos.</i></h5>
<p>Durant la mi-temps, énormément de satisfaction. L'Impact attend toujours l'adversaire et lance des contres, Mapp attaque coté droit, crochètes les défenseurs adverses avec une facilité déconcertante, frappe et c'est repris par Duka en renard des surfaces! Son premier doublé en carrière, quel timing! En défense, c'est une démonstration de Ciman, positionnement parfait, marquage aussi, relance souvent juste et des gueulantes bien placées aussi bien à ces coéquipiers qu'à l'arbitre. Par contre, l'Impact constate qu'une avance plus grande est un cadeau empoisonné. Pachuca joue plus haut, l'Impact recule, fait plus de fautes proche de la surface. C'est justement grâce à cela que Olvera, d'un superbe coup franc enroulé remet son équipe dans le match à la 57e minute. Nahuelpan, fraichement rentré, manque son tir, complètement seul à 5 mètres du but, on lui dit merci.</p>
<p>Pachuca pousse, l'Impact recule. Les défenseurs semblent débordés. À la 69e minute, l'Impact qui pliait finit par rompre. Sur un contre de Lozano, qui d'un centre-tir que Bush ne réussit pas à repousser, trouve Nahuelpan qui marque et c'est 2-2. Peu après, Cabrera, victime de crampes, sort pour Camara. Les joueurs semblent usés physiquement, moins concentrés, l'axe devient plus accessible. Klopas réagit, un peu tard, et sort Donadel pour Mallace. Aucun joueur de l'Impact n'avait joués 90 minutes au Mexique, et sa se voit, les joueurs de Pachuca sont dessus physiquement, les joueurs de l'Impact on un coup de moins.</p>
<p>Porter rentre pour Oduro(81e), le jeune attaquant à l'occasion de confirmer son beau camp d'entrainement, ces jambes fraiches et ses retours défensifs seront une bouffée d'air frais pour Justin Mapp. Pachuca héritera d'un coup franc proche de la surface, mais ne referont pas le coup, la fin du match est teintée d'une mêlée entre plusieurs joueurs dont Camara, qui reçoit un coup de coude au visage, cadeau de Lozano, bref, un beau bordel.</p>
<p>Sur ce, l'arbitre siffle la fin du match. Après avoir mené 2-0, l'Impact peut ressentir un peu d'amertume, mais en faisant les comptes, un résultat de 2-2 à l'extérieur est un bon signe pour la suite!</p>
<p>Rendez-vous le 3 mars prochain, au Stade Olympique, pour teindre l'histoire de bleu, de blanc et de noir!</p>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2015/2/25/8105523/avantage-montrealAlek Avendano2015-02-24T12:36:02-05:002015-02-24T12:36:02-05:00Gameplan vs Pachuca
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<p>The Impact's game plan against Pachuca</p> <p>Although the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> have been training for about month already, it is hard to judge just how game ready they will be coming into Tuesday night's highly anticipated Quarter Final opening leg against Mexican side Pachuca.</p>
<p>Surely, <span>Frank Klopas</span> and the rest of the coaching staff have been working hard trying to get all the players as best prepared as possible and ironing out his ideal starting XI.</p>
<p>Pachuca is not having a great start to their season but as we saw with the Impact last year it is possible to have a bad year and still be successful in CCL action.</p>
<h5>I believe that Klopas will have 3 main focuses heading into this game.</h5>
<p><b>The first </b>would be to try and keep a clean sheet. With the deciding game back on home turf, even if the Impact can't find an away goal, Klopas will feel like he has the team in the driver's seat. If Montreal can weather the storm early on, they will be in great shape.</p>
<p>It will be important for Donadel and Reo-Coker to disrupt the flow of their attack every chance they get. It will also be important for attacking players to make their runs and try to create offense when possible.</p>
<p><b>The second important aspect of the game</b> will be for the entire club to be extremely disciplined. If there was one time I am glad the Swiss Volcano is no longer in charge it is now. When Jack McInerney was shown a red card during the team's pre-season match last week versus Cruz Azul, it surely opened some eyes as to what they can expect come Tuesday.</p>
<p>It is a challenge that they will have to overcome if the team wants to come away with any points and a full roster for the return leg. Players such as <span>Hassoun Camara</span> and <span>Bakary Soumare</span> will have to be on their best behavior, because it will not take much for the official go in his pocket or worse yet, to point to the spot. If things go wrong and the Impact concede, expect a ton of ankle grabbing, pleading and time wasting.</p>
<p><b>Lastly, as this is Champions League play</b>, an away goal, if at all possible would be massive. Definitely the club will not throw caution to the wind to get it, but look to see them try to find one on set pieces or on the counter-attack. Despite the fact that the team has yet to play an official match, I firmly believe that this is a game that they can get points from.</p>
<p>There are so many new faces, it is hard to see the team come out with that same continuation of a funk that was seen last year. Not to take anything away from Pachuca, but I feel the elements of altitude and officiating will be the toughest tests the team will face in the opening game.</p>
<p>Although Pachuca is coming into this match on a mini 3-game winning streak, in 7 league matches so far, they have a goal differential of +1, and have yet to register a clean sheet. It will be up to Montreal to take advantage of their opportunities. They may not get a half dozen chances to score, but if they can capitalize on one, it may be all they need.</p>
<h5>If I was coach this would be my starting XI:</h5>
<p><span>Evan Bush</span></p>
<p><span>Donny Toia</span>, Laurent Ciman, Bakary Soumare, Hassoun Camara</p>
<p><span>Nigel Reo-Coker</span> (captain), Marco Donadel</p>
<p><span>Justin Mapp</span>, <span>Dilly Duka</span>, Ignacio Piatti</p>
<p>Jack Mac</p>
<h5>My prediction 1-1</h5>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2015/2/24/8094769/montreal-impact-pachuca-concacaf-champions-league-quarterfinal-first-legBryan Thomas2015-02-24T12:00:03-05:002015-02-24T12:00:03-05:00CCL Round-table Predictions
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<p>The Impact will be in tough as Club Pachuca has already played seven matches in the Mexican Liga MX and are in game shape.</p> <p>Tonight the Impact kick off 2015, in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against Club Pachuca of Mexico. Montreal qualified for the quarterfinal by finishing first in their group against <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a> and C.D. FAS of El Salvador.</p>
<p><b>The match can be seen on TVA Sports, Sportsnet One, and Fox Sports 2 (In the United States) starting at 10:00pm.</b></p>
<p>Below a number of writers from Mount Royal Soccer have weighed in with their predictions for the game tonight.</p>
<h4>Noah Markowicz ( Doesn't like Mistakes)</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>For Tuesday's first leg of the Concacaf quarterfinal in Mexico, I predict a mistake-filled, potentially chaotic affair, ending in a 2-2 draw. A fast start will see the Impact take the lead, but an inevitable penalty will bring Los Tuzos back into the match at some point. Montréal will feel hard done by, but will head home with a pretty favorable result, having scored two away goals. My prediction 2-2.</p>
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<h4>John Richan ( Don't Hurt Piatti Please)</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>The Impact will play their first competitive match of 2015 on Tuesday in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Leauge quarterfinal. I predict that the Club Pachuca will win the first leg 1-0. The Impact struggled on the road last season, and although they have significantly bolstered their lineup, playing in Mexico is never easy. Even though Pachuca is doing poorly in Liga MX at the moment, they are in mid-season form and should be in better game shape and will take the victory. If Pachuca can shut down Piatti, the Impact do not really pose any other serious offensive threat. My prediction 1-0 Pachuca.</p>
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<h4>Bryan Thomas ( Work Hard, Play Hard)</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>Although the <a href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Montreal Impact</a> have been training for about month already, it is hard to judge just how game ready they will be coming into Tuesday night's highly anticipated Quarter Final opening leg against Mexican side Pachuca. Surely, <span>Frank Klopas</span> and the rest of the coaching staff have been working hard trying to get all the players as best prepared as possible and ironing out his ideal starting XI.</p>
<p>Pachuca is not having a great start to their season but as we saw with the Impact last year it is possible to have a bad year and still be successful in CCL action. this is Champions League play, an away goal, if at all possible would be massive.</p>
<p>Definitely the club will not throw caution to the wind to get it, but look to see them try to find one on set pieces or on the counter-attack. Despite the fact that the team has yet to play an official match, I firmly believe that this is a game that they can get points from. My prediction 1-1.</p>
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<p> </p>
<h4>Frédérick Loporcaro (Nostradamus)</h4>
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<p>Pachuca will score on a penalty kick for the hosts after and a misunderstanding between Laurent Ciman and Bakary Soumare. Ignacio Piatti will score for Mtl</p>
<p>My prediction. 2-1 Pachuca.</p>
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<h4>Christopher Ralph (likes to use CAPS and goes All In )</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>2-1 win for the Impact. I don't want to comment on the players, but instead on their (and our) mentality. Pachuca are facing a host of games coming up, and will want to move up the table in LigaMX over CCL. There is a lot of pressure on this coach, and he knows it. Conversely, there is pressure on our boy Frank Klopas to generate buzz for this team, and to show the soccer world what Montréal means.</p>
<p>We're a new team, the guys are getting along and are in as good of shape as they can be for the pre-season. We`re going to give it our all. I think both JackMac and Oduro have something to prove, and when pushed will succeed. I feel that this is the start of an exciting new chapter for the Impact - and I think it'll end in victory. I've been wrong before, but it's going to be one awesome show.</p>
<p>ALLEZ MONTRÉAL!</p>
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<h4>Mauricio Vincello ( PK Drama)</h4>
<blockquote>
<p>Je vais y aller comme Fred, avec une victoire 2-1 de Pachuca. Le scénario ? Des difficultés à commencer le match, une pression toute particulière avec des gens bizarres qui crient dans les tribunes. Résultat : une ouverture du score précoce de Pacucha. Réveil des Montréalais, mais première demie relativement subie, qui s'achève avec un deuxième but des Mexicains sur penalty (une escroquerie, on sera tous d'accord). Deuxième demie : les gars reviennent avec le couteau entre les dents.</p>
<p>Piatti réduit l'écart avant la 60e minute, d'une grosse patate de Pencran (je vous laisse googler. Pour les non-francophones, search for "Pencran's potatoe") à l'entrée de la surface. Poteau, penalty non sifflé... La suite sera frustrante. 2-1 Pachuca. L'évidence de la qualification au retour se fait d'elle-même, et je pourrai tranquillement survoler les gradins du Big O en hélicobite et vous faire des coucous.</p>
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<h4>Sofiane Benzaza ( Back to Basics )</h4>
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<p>Montreal has nothing to lose and should focus on getting the basics right while staving off a strong Pachuca squad. It's more important to kick-start the MLS season than just focusing on a historical semi-final berth. But being hungry to try to win the game and get the best result is still important to put the pressure on Pachuca for the second leg.</p>
<p>With 13 new players coming in, chemistry on the pitch is the most worrisome especially when the Impact has not played one competitive game before going to Mexico and while being there at Cruz Azul's training centre.</p>
<p>3-2 Pachuca</p>
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https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2015/2/24/8099801/montreal-impact-pachuca-concacaf-champions-league-quarterfinal-first-leg-predictionsJohn_Richan2015-02-24T09:27:49-05:002015-02-24T09:27:49-05:00Get to know Liga MX & Pachuca
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<figcaption>Aubrey Washington/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<h5><b>First of all, can you tell us what kind of soccer is played in Liga Mx? Is it an offensive minded game or its more defensive and how would you compare it to the MLS level?</b></h5>
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<p><i>Liga MX is much different than European or even American soccer. There is usually a good rhythm to games. Teams tend to press down the field more and take more offensive risks, so defenders and goalkeepers are often required to make plays against an opponent rushing at them. There is much more room for creativity in the Mexican game too - it's not uncommon to see players coming from deep to make a run or trying innovative things. </i></p>
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<h5><b>2- What is the History behind the club of Pachuca?(Championship, notable former player, etc)</b></h5>
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<p><i>Started in 1901 by British miners, Pachuca is one of the oldest professional teams in Mexico. Los Tuzos (The Gophers in Spanish) are five-time Liga MX champions, most recently winning the 2007 Clausura. They have also competed in the CONCACAF Champions League on five occasions, with the last time being the 2009-10 contest. Pachuca is also the first club to win a tournament outside of their Cconference, winning CONMEBOL's 2006 Copa Sudamericana. Some notable names that have played for the club include Christian "Chaco" Giménez, Juan Carlos Cacho, and Gabriel Caballero. </i></p>
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<h5><b>3- We know Mexican fans love their team. What kind of fans are the one of Pachuca and is it going to be wild for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> to go over there?</b></h5>
<p><i></i></p>
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<p><i> Pachuca fans, like most other Liga MX fans, are passionate about their club. They tend to travel well throughout Mexico, and due to the large expatriate population in the United States there may well be traveling fans when they visit Montreal. </i></p>
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<h5><b>4- Who are the key players to know about on the team? The central defender seems pretty good for what I've seen so far.</b></h5>
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<p><i> Defender Aquivalda Mosquera is back at Pachuca after spells at Sevilla and Club América. The strong center back has also represented Colombia, playing in the 2010</i> <i><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014">World Cup</a>. Another Tuzos player who represented their country in the 2010 World Cup is goalkeeper Óscar Pérez (also known as El Conejo - The Rabbit). At 41, he is still a key part of Pachuca's defense. On the offensive side is Argentine striker Ariel Nahuelpán, who had 14 goals in 15 matches for Pachuca in the 2014 Apertura and CONCACAF Champions League. Also a threat is Ecuadoran left winger Walter Ayoví, who can also fill in at left back.</i></p>
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<h5><b>5- What are the expectations for Pachuca in the CCL ? Do they have the team to win it?</b></h5>
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<p><i> I think Pachuca believes they can win the CONCACAF Champions League, and are in a good position to do so. They lost a hard-fought Final series in the 2014 Clausura against León, losing in extra time of the final match. They made an early exit from the 2014 Apertura Liguilla (playoffs) by virtue of Tigres' regular season record. They are a strong team, and when they face the Montreal Impact in late February and early March, they'll be in mid-season form (the 2015 Clausura will start in early January).</i></p>
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<h5><b>6- They fired their coach after their elimination from the Apertura 2014. What the new coach will bring to the team and in what way it's a good move moving forward? </b></h5>
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<p><i>Mexican clubs go through coaches rather quickly, and if you follow the league long enough you get used to teams burning through them. I believe the players are also accustomed to having to be able to adapt and learn new tactics quickly, and it didn't look like Pachuca missed a beat with Enrique Meza. Meza is a veteran manager, having won four Liga MX Championships, two CONCACAF Champions Cups, and leading Pachuca to win the 2006 Copa Sudamericana. Meza is a winner, and I think he can lead Los Tuzos to further glory.</i></p>
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https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2015/2/24/8099497/montreal-impact-vs-pachuca-previewJean-Francois Corbet2015-02-24T08:19:48-05:002015-02-24T08:19:48-05:00Impact talk on TSN690<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://joeyalfieri.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/joey-alfieri-and-sofiane-benzaza-talking-imfc-on-tsn690-feb-24/">Impact talk on&nbsp;TSN690</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Joey Alfieri and Sofiane Benzaza joined Simon Tsalikis on "Up Late with Simon" on TSN 690 to preview the Montreal Impact’s CONCACAF Champions League matchup vs. Mexican side Pachuca.The boys also spoke about the MLS regular season which gets underway in just a couple of weeks.</p>
<p>LISTEN TO THE 30 MINUTE CONVERSATION at the link.</p></p></div>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2015/2/24/8099341/impact-talk-on-tsn690Sofiane Benzaza2015-02-23T12:14:11-05:002015-02-23T12:14:11-05:00Un test pour le club, un examen pour Klopas.
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<figcaption>Un grec au regard noir, Hellas, ce n'est pas bon signe. | Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Bien que son poste ne soit pas forcément en jeu, la double confrontation contre Pachuca pourrait solidifier la confiance des dirigeants envers lui, ou le contraire, dépendant du résultat, mais aussi de la manière. </p> <h5>L'Université du soccer à Pachuca, cours intensifs pour Klopas?</h5>
<p>Ce n'est pas seulement dû au fait que des rafales de grand vent soient omniprésentes dans la ville mexicaine qu'on peut affirmer que Pachuca respire le soccer. Il y a, officiellement, une <i>"Universidad del futbol y ciencias del deporte."</i> Une culture de soccer, bien sûr, mais une culture de tactique contrairement à la culture du duel bien aimée de Klopas et de la grande majorité de la MLS.</p>
<p>Il ne faut pas non plus placer Pachuca sur un piédestal, au contraire, ce n'est pas une machine de guerre, et Klopas ne doit pas y aller timidement. Klopas à un défi, bien plus que comptable, est de montrer qu'il peut aller chercher bien plus que le match nul en prenant l'équipe d'en face par surprise.</p>
<p>Son discours hors terrain doit se traduire sur celui-ci désormais, en bon général, il doit montrer qu'il peut bien guider ces troupes et les sublimer de sa hargne et son envie d'écrire l'histoire, d'une belle histoire. Son manque de prise de risque et sa supposée faiblesse tactique sont souvent reprochés, avec raison, et cela pourrait bien faire la différence dans ce genre de duel.</p>
<h5>Pions blancs ou pions noirs?</h5>
<p>On ne sait guère si Klopas est amateur des Échecs (avec un grand E, pour éviter les jeux de mots... ou pas), mais avant ce match, lui et son staff auront une grande décision à prendre. Décider d'avoir le ballon, jouer haut et dicter le rythme du match ou bien d'attendre avec un bloc compact, bas et réussir à placer des contres assassins ou miser sur les coups de pieds arrêter.</p>
<p>Pas une force dans le passé, mais une force en devenir? Pourquoi ne pas commencer avec ce match, où <i>Conejo</i> Perez, "le lapin" en VF, ne bondit plus aussi haut qu'avant? D'ailleurs, depuis les années où Perez défendait les cages de notre sélection avec brio, certes, chaque sortie aérienne montait notre rythme cardiaque et lui, ne captait aucun ballon, un gardien joueur de volley-ball. Qui plus est, il a déclaré que Pachuca se devait d'être "(...) attentif sur coups de pied arrêtés." Un manque d'information? Peut-être. Mais surtout, un aveu d'une faiblesse qui ne risque pas de régler sur les deux matchs contre l'Impact, comme par magie.</p>
<p>La notoriété de Klopas pourrait être en jeu, car avec une victoire à l'extérieur, un groupe soudé et compact, le contraire de la saison dernière donc, la saison pourrait être lancée. Surtout, les joueurs embarqueraient dans le "projet Klopas" et quand les joueurs sont en symbiose avec l'entraîneur, les résultats arrivent. Bien sûr, un échec sur les deux confrontations, avec un manque d'envie, aucune marque de progression, plongeraient encore plus Klopas dans le scepticisme et le spectre du congédiement resurgirait.</p>
<p>À Klopas de choisir, les pions sont en places, reste à décider la couleur.</p>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2015/2/23/8090425/klopas-ou-ca-casseAlek Avendano