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Montreal Impact: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

Oct 23, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Montreal Impact defender Laurent Ciman (23) knocks the ball away from New England Revolution midfielder Lee Nguyen (24) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Montreal Impact defender Laurent Ciman (23) knocks the ball away from New England Revolution midfielder Lee Nguyen (24) during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 31, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; D.C. United midfielder Luciano Acosta (11) passes the ball as Montreal Impact midfielder Marco Donadel (33) looks on during the second half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; D.C. United midfielder Luciano Acosta (11) passes the ball as Montreal Impact midfielder Marco Donadel (33) looks on during the second half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Hope #3: That their defense can hold back a potent United attack.

With Ciman, Ambroise Oyongo, Marco Donadel, Hassoun Camara, and Victor Cabrera the Impact have one of the more imposing defenses in all of MLS. But they haven’t really clicked this season, allowing 53 goals, tied for sixth highest in the league. In particular their road form has left supporters wanting, giving up 24 goals and holding a record of 4-6-7. That will not hold against a D.C. United side that have taken the league by storm in the second half of the season.

If they are to advance past United they are going to need hold back Luciano Acosta. Acosta is United’s playmaker in the midfielder and uses lightning quick speed and precision passing to create opportunities for Patrick Mullins, Lamar Neagle, and Patrick Nyarko. The former River Plate product has developed a name and a reputation this season for destroying defensive midfielders by making diagonal runs and finding attackers in open space.

The responsibility for containing him will fall to Donadel. Although Donadel is more known for being a center mid, he has shown the ability to defend and hold CAMs when necessary. D.C. knows this all too well. In their 1-1 draw with the Impact at home Donadel marked Acosta closely and prevented him from really creating any goal-scoring opportunities. If Donadel can hold Acosta and keep him from creating opportunities for his teammates then the Impact may walk out of RFK Stadium with the win.

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