I had a tough time coming up with a good, non-Google Translate translation of the headline (since everyone’s doing it). There’s something about playing a team with a mainly French website that rubs me the wrong way (probably similar to the type of feeling most foreign women get in Paris). Joking! Canadians are wonderful people, I swear. I can say that because I have two Canadian friends (that should be enough justification for you). Nonetheless, I’m excited to have the Impact here in Dallas for the first time.
Both FC Dallas and Montreal are coming off of uplifting wins won against New England and Toronto, respectively, last week. Dallas has certainly had time to prepare for this match, and more importantly, rest some beleaguered starters in lieu of an important matchup against Montreal. Two extra days of preparation (9 total days) between two home games against an expansion opponent is promising. Yet, the Impact will certainly be hungry and determined after tallying their first ever win in MLS. Here are some items of interest for Saturday night’s matchup:
Montreal is vulnerable…everywhere.
The fact of the matter is that this expansion team has given up 14 goals this season, and in no one part of a 90 minute match have they not given up a goal. Dallas tends to come out quickly in matches and then lulls until about the 60th minute. A quick jump on Montreal could spell a wheels-off-the-wagon situation for Montreal. They are as vulnerable at the beginning of the match as they are at the end, but I think for the sake of 13,000 possible cardiac arrests/aneurysms Dallas should try not leaving this late and also not let the Impact stay in the match for 90 minutes.
Pressure will break Montreal’s possession.
In the Impact’s game against Toronto last week they attempted 513 passes, 376 which met their intended targets for a completion rate of 73%. The remaining incomplete passes were mostly forward balls sent from the middle third to the attacking third, especially balls sent from outside backs forward, as well as balls knocked out from the backline to midfield wingers. Consistent pressure on the Montreal backline from Perez and Castillo will force Montreal once again into a string of turnovers. Consistent marking throughout the back line will also solve a large part of Montreal’s forward situation, as Nyassi and Corradi did not look all that dangerous when not countering. High pressure in the final third will also disrupt most of their play, as Montreal have been very wasteful over the course of the past five games when trying to make that killer pass or send that final ball through.
Watch out for the Impact on the counter.
Albeit their possession and attacking is nothing to write home about, the Impact was dangerous on the counter against Toronto last week. They’ve tended to look good on the counter all season. Jacobson and Hernandez will be key to stunting counters from the Impact, as they can slow down the counter and force the run of play out wide and not directly at FCD’s goal. Nyassi’s speed is always something to deal with, but with good organization and disciplined positioning FCD may be able to neutralize a big part of Montreal’s game.
Feed Brek. Feed Blas. Feed Fabian.
If the Impact play anything like they did against TFC they’ll certainly play with some speed and hunger. Yet if they play similarly as the TFC match they’ll also put Brek, Blas, and Fabian in promising situations. Brek should be utilized based on his usual talents: speed, service, and creativity. If the Opta chalkboards stand true, he should find an Impact turnover or twenty on his sideline (if TFC can exploit the wings decently, why can’t we?). Feeding Blas is a no-brainer at this point, but then again he was underused and more silent last week against New England than ever. Montreal’s backline looked vulnerable consistently throughout the entire TFC match, culminating in TFC’s sole goal, which came out of a looped ball from the right flank, nodded in between both Montreal center backs and past Ricketts. Blas still has yet to net a goal delivered off a cross this season: this may be the perfect environment. Fabian’s necessity in the FCD attack was on display against New England last Thursday; Dallas would be foolish to not focus a substantial portion of the attack on the young Columbian. Ankle-breaking, MCL-tearing, head-twisting runs and lightning speed brought by Castillo will be a huge test for the Impact back line. If his services and finishing have improved since the New England match (he should’ve had a goal and two assists) Montreal could be in serious jeopardy. Let’s not leave out Zack Loyd, either. At a moment’s notice he’ll push forward once the Impact sits back. His services (ahem, especially the winner from last week) will provide trouble for Montreal’s flanks.
Andrew Jacobson: y u no keep ball!?
But seriously. Why not? Andrew, as he had a solid year last year, netting a few assists in the early run of the 2011 season, he has not replicated that form this time around. His ability to break up opposition possession is good; his ability to keep possession is questionable. Stunting Impact counters and providing quick outlet passes to the wings and to the feet of Loyd and Pertuz should be his sole objective this game.
Other than that, Dallas needs this win. They have three games against three tough Western Conference opponents: Vancouver away, Salt Lake at home, and the Galaxy away before the end of April. Added confidence from a shutout (yes, we need a shutout, not just a win), and a solid goal-scoring effort would be the most ideal situation given these fixtures. Could Dallas pull it off and reverse the two losses to DC and Sporting with two wins on the bounce? Time will tell.
Oh yeah, Jackson (I was hoping for Jermaine) is back. Recalled from a loan to Brazilian club Cruzeiro, the utility man will grace Dallas’ sideline tomorrow night (I’d assume). He brings much needed depth to Dallas’ midfield, his versatility being such a huge strongpoint for Dallas in the past. It’s a welcome surprise. Give the man a good homecoming with a win, I’d say.
(image courtesy of fcdallas.com)
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