Defending League Champions Stroll Into Town

Portland Timbers

vsMontreal Impact

Wednesday, May 19th
7pm @ PGE Park
Live online at PortlandTimbers.com
Radio on 95.5 The Game

Photo: Jeremy Olson / digitalgopher.net

The Portland Timbers will face last year's USL Champions when they take on the Montreal Impact Wednesday evening at PGE Park. Portland (3-1-2) is currently tied for 2nd place in the USSF with 11 points, 2 points behind first place Austin, and 3 points ahead of Montreal (2-1-2) who's tied for 5th in the overall standings. Coming off a pair of disappointing performances against bottom dwelling teams, the Timbers should be find extra motivation to come out focused, play well, and put the past behind them.

Wednesday's game will be last time Portland will face Montreal this season. The Timbers played L'Impact to a 1-1 draw earlier this season at Saputo Stadium, but the outcome of the match was not without controversy. In the 81st minute, defender Quavas Kirk reached out to stop Montreal attacker Roberto Brown, who instantly flopped to the ground, exaggerating the contact. Portland was called for a penalty resulting in a PK kick for Montreal, who knotted the match at 1-1. A tough call to stomach.

For Portland to pull out 3 points this time around it'll be imperative that they finish their chances offensively and score goals, something they've struggled to do for much of this season. Putting runs together and getting the ball into threatening positions hasn't been the Timber's issue. Portland has taken 33 shots in their last 2 matches, but have only 1 goal to show for it. To counter Montreal's more defensive style on the field, Portland will need to focus on being patient, keeping control of possession, and playing mistake free soccer. Montreal has one of the more experienced keepers in the league in Matt Jordan and they've only allowed 4 goals all season. The Impact, who are on a 4 game undefeated streak, have only scored 4 goals themselves which is simply a sign of what an efficient soccer team the Impact truly are.

Unfortunately, the Impact are a good team that's kept themselves in the news for the wrong reasons. The Impact had another ugly player altercation this season when forward Roberto Brown punched a Toronto FC player in the face during a Canadian Championships match late last month. Brown has been suspended indefinitely by the team.

Montreal was of course the "team that choked" in 2009 (the infamous on-field incident pictured above), although ironically enough they were incredibly clutch in the playoffs, overcoming a mediocre regular season (finishing 5th overall) to sweep through the postseason on their way to the franchise's 3rd league championship. Montreal returns almost their entire championship winning club, their only major loss, midfielder Joey Gjersten, who's been replaced by solid, international talent in Filipe Soares and Philippe Billy. Pushing hard for a MLS bid in 2012, the Impact possess a roster stocked full of talent. They're a very balanced team, good in all areas, and very dangerous when they're clicking and completely focused. Expectations are astronomical in Montreal, anything less than another championship would be viewed as a disappointment by the fans. And when it's all said and done, they might indeed be the last team standing when all the dust settles again.

* It should also be noted, to be fair, that the players involved in the choking altercation (Sandro Grande and Mauro Biello) are no longer with the team this season.

Players to Watch
Rocco Placentino - The aggressive and offensive minded Canadian is key cog in the Montreal attack, taking 33 shots in 27 appearances last season. Placentino has shifted to forward to help fill the void left by Roberto Brown's absence and is leading the team with 2 goals and 14 shots this year, the next closest player with only 6 attempts.

Stephen Deroux - In his 2nd season with the Impact, Deroux has quickly become a valuable and reliable defensive commodity, the only player on the roster to play every minute of every game this year. Deroux is smaller in stature, but is speedy, physical, and aggressive out on the field.

Leonardo Di Lorenzo - A very offensive minded midfielder, Di Lorenzo isn't necessarily the guy taking the shots, but he'll certainly make his presence felt by putting pressure on opposing backlines and creating opportunities for teammates. A Montreal veteran, Di Lorenzo will be making his 100th appearance for the Impact this Wednesday and is in his 5th season overall with the franchise.