It's been exactly two full years since the Crew had a five-match home winning streak, a feat the club can repeat for the first time since August 22 through September 29 of 2012 with a victory over the Montreal Impact on Saturday. Even though the Black & Gold have been taking care of business at home, they know that this is an opportunity they cannot afford to let slip away, especially given the experience during the clubs' last meeting, August 30 in Quebec.
Following that match, a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Impact, Crew Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter said that he thought Montreal would win more games down the stretch than its record indicated. He was right: the Impact has recorded wins in three out of their last seven, matching the club's total from its first 22 contests in 2014.
"They have a very good attacking group, and defensively they've been solid," said Berhalter. "They've been pretty good these last games. I tell you, there's not much that separates all of these teams in MLS. They've been on the wrong side of some results where if it had went the other way, all of a sudden they'd be in the playoff hunt. I think it's a good team. We're cautious about this game and we're going to have to play a very good game."
The Impact is also performing well in the CONCACAF Champions League, a tournament for which it qualified by virtue of winning the Amway Canadian Championship earlier in this campaign. Montreal won Group 3 with one match to spare and has qualified for the Championship Stage of the tournament.
The Impact's participation in that tournament has led to them resting players at times, but without a CCL match until late October, Berhalter expects the Impact's best lineup and says that the psyche of the club could be affected in a number of ways through its participation.
"It depends on the team. It depends on the teams in your group. It depends on the depth of your squad. I think it can positively influence your group or it can negatively influence your group. That depends on the team."
The Crew might also not have to face MLS newcomer Ignacio Piatti, who apparently is fighting a knee issue. Piatti's brace propelled the Impact to a 2-0 win over the Crew last month. Berhalter called the Argentine "quality" earlier this week, evident through his torrid MLS beginning.
His absence certainly stands to benefit Columbus, but Tyson Wahl cautions that the Impact are still dangerous.
"They might play with a little bit more freedom too, now that they don't have the pressure to make the playoffs," said the defender. "That can always be a dangerous thing … They have very skilled and experienced players. They're always going to be threatening."
