After a tough 1-0 loss to the Seattle Sounders last week, Columbus Crew SC returns to MAPFRE Stadium looking for its third straight win at home. The Black & Gold will host the Montreal Impact on Saturday for their second matchup this year.
Crew SC has won its last two matches at MAPFRE Stadium and the Black & Gold are looking to take advantage of their upcoming home stand with five of the next seven League meetings taking place in Columbus.
Two of those five home matches are against the Impact, who currently sit atop the Eastern Conference standings with 14 points. The key to Montreal’s success this season has been its impressive attack. The Impact have scored 13 goals in nine matches, tied for second in the East. And now with striker Didier Drogba back in the lineup, the Impact offense has become even more dangerous.
“I think Drogba is a world-class player, and I think we have to be very careful with him,” Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter said. “I think you have that potency up front certainly with him.”
The star striker missed Montreal’s early games including their 2-0 win over Crew SC on April 9. But since that match in Canada, the Black & Gold have improved on both sides of the pitch and are prepared for an even tougher test this time around.
“I think it’s a different look than when we played them last time,” captain and defender Michael Parkhurst said. “Without Drogba they play much more on the counter attack into [Ignacio] Piatti, and running off of him. And I think with Drogba up top they play a lot of long balls into him and play off of that, so it’s a challenge.”
Crew SC’s start to the season has been challenging too. With eight points from eight matches there is room for improvement, Parkhurst stressed.
“We haven’t had too many performances where we have been sharp for 90 minutes, and we need to start putting those together,” he said.
Saturday’s match at MAPFRE Stadium is important for the Black & Gold as they look to climb the Eastern Conference table. Midfielder Federico Higuain said the team is excited to be back home and eager to show it’s better than its current rank.
“We really want to play this game,” Pipa said. “We really want to play at home, in front of our fans, to show them that we are a good team.”
Berhalter said that after the next four matches in May, heading into the international break, his squad will have a good understanding of where it stands.
“We have a nice stretch of games that starts with the leaders of the East on Saturday, so we’re excited for it,” he said. “It’s one game at a time, but we get the chance to take on some of the better teams in the League right now.”
The Black & Gold are 5-1-0 all-time against the Impact at MAPFRE Stadium. With three points Saturday, Crew SC could make up serious ground in the Eastern Conference standings. Kickoff for the match is set for 7:30 p.m.
