The Montreal Impact hosts international superstar David Villa and expansion side New York City FC on Saturday, at 8pm, at Stade Saputo looking to exact revenge after losing the inaugural matchup 3-1 at Yankee Stadium a few weeks ago.
Excellent tickets are still available for that game. The Impact is offering a number of promotions, including $12 tickets for kids under 16 anywhere in the stadium, a pregame party on the synthetic field starting at 6pm. Click here for tickets and details.
“The game we lost in New York was not a good game for us,” said assistant coach Mauro Biello. “Saturday’s is an extremely important game for us. They are just behind us in the standings, so it’s important that we rebound and get a good result against them.”
IMFC has been stellar at home, winners of its last four straight home games. The team will play six of its eight next games at home.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game because New York City has quality,” explained Dilly Duka. “But it’s always great to play at home. Our fans are great and the field is always in good shape, so we want to take advantage of that to redeem ourselves after losing there.”
Despite Designated Player Frank Lampard joining his team to train for the first time this week, and the imminent signing of Andrea Pirlo, neither player is or would be available until the international transfer window opens on July 8.
That doesn’t mean NYCFC is without any weapons. Spanish international David Villa leads his team with six goals and four assists, while Mehdi Ballouchy and Patrick Mullins (3G, 2A) have chipped in on the offensive side of the ball.
“They are a great team with a lot of great players,” said Ambroise Oyongo. “It’s an important game for both sides as we came back from a tough road trip and they lost their derby game [versus the New York Red Bulls]. We can’t worry too much about their stars like David Villa, but focus on our game and getting the win.”
Maxim Tissot is away from the team for international duty with the Canadian national team at the Gold Cup, while Impact captain Patrice Bernier will miss this weekend’s contest due to suspension, after being ejected from his team’s 2-2 draw at Philadelphia last Saturday. In that game, both Ignacio Piatti and Jack McInerney found the back of the net, scoring their fourth goals of the season to lead the team.
The Impact’s next game will be played on Saturday, July 11, at 8pm at Stade Saputo, against the Columbus Crew SC. (tickets: ticketmaster.ca).
