The Montreal Impact (5-15-5) are expecting a physically demanding match in Houston at 8:30 tonight as they battle another squad of underachievers in the Dynamo (8-13-4).
Both teams are outside of playoff spots in the East but are coming off victories as the Dynamo beat Sporting KC 3-1 and the Impact won a second-straight home game, 2-0 versus Columbus in their most recent outing.
"You’ve got to match the Dynamo's physicality and intensity,” said Impact netminder Evan Bush told his team’s website. “I remember when we beat them pretty good at home and they took it out on us when we visited them. Both teams have changed quite a bit since then however. Houston at this time of year, this is when they really start getting going.”
The Impact will be without midfielders Patrice Bernier and Issey Nakajima-Farran who are playing for the Canadian team against Jamaica on September 9 in Toronto. Hassoun Camara will be out with suspension and Gege Soriola is also going to miss with a shoulder injury.
The team will sport a black armband in memory of Karl Ouimette’s sister Julie, who died Monday after a 12-year battle with leukemia. Ouimette will miss the game.
The Impact were eliminated in their only playoff game on October 30 of last year in Houston, so they hope to turn their fortunes around tonight in the Lone Star State.
Will Bruin leads the Dynamo with 10 goals this season while Brad Davis leads with eight assists.
Andres Romero and Jack McInerney lead the Impact with six goals each while Marco Di Vaio has scored five. Justin Mapp leads with eight assists.
Strikers Marco Di Vaio and Jack McInerney – who has seen his playing time diminish as of late – have both had success scoring against the Dynamo.
The Impact also hope to see another impressive performance from 29-year-old Argentine Designated Player Ignacio Piatti, who has electrified crowds with his offensive prowess since joining the team.
