Atlanta United: 3 questions about Montreal
Atlanta United (13-8-7) will host Montreal (11-12-6) on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in an important game for both teams.
The Five Stripes are in fourth in the Eastern Conference with 46. The Impact are in seventh with 39 points, just below the red line. A win could push Montreal into a tie for sixth, which is the final playoff spot.
Atlanta United has scored 17 goals in four games in its new home. It has lost just once in its past 12 games.
Montreal has just one win its past five, but it was a 5-3 defeat of first-place Toronto on Wednesday.
Joey Alfieri, the host of “The Impact this Week” radio show on TSN 690 and is also the sideline reporter during live Montreal Impact radio broadcasts, answered three questions about the game. He is on Twitter @joeyalfieri and on Instagram @joey_alfieri.
Q: What did Montreal learn from the first meeting between the teams?
A: I think the Impact quickly realized that Atlanta United wasn't a normal expansion team. I know Montreal won the game, but it took a stoppage-time winner from Anthony Jackson-Hamel to get the Impact three points. Atlanta scored the first goal in the April meeting and the Impact definitely didn't have an easy time coming back. I strongly believe Atlanta is an even better team than they were back then, so Montreal will have their hands full.
Q: What was the key to Montreal’s success in its recent 5-3 win against Toronto?
A: Their attacking players were difference makers. Ignacio Piatti had gone relatively quiet by his standards during the Impact's recent losing streak, but he was able to create offensively in the win at BMO Field. Jackson, who went from super-sub to starter, has also been quiet recently. He was able to find the back of the net twice. It was just a complete performance overall by the Impact, which they haven't been able to do often.
Q: What is the matchup to watch on Sunday?
A: I'm really curious to see Montreal's main attackers (Piatti and Jackson) against an Atlanta back line that doesn't get a ton of credit. If those two guys can continue to build on what they accomplished against Toronto FC, the Impact will have a chance. If they go back to being quiet, Montreal will be in for a long afternoon on Sunday.
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