/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59637683/usa_today_10782715.0.jpg)
New England finally beat a top-flight club at home, winning 1-0 over MLS leaders Sporting KC on Saturday. Folks are starting to notice, but doubters remain. The last time New England visited Montreal, in 2017, we saw a wonder goal from Kelyn Rowe to give the Revs a 3-2 win. Can New England repeat the feat and also silence the critics with a decisive road win over a struggling Impact side?
Our crack staff tells you how it’ll go down up north:
Seth Macomber: Revs 2, Impact 0
Comment: Sure, they’re on the road, but this is a game that the Revs must win. Montreal hasn’t collected a result since Mar. 31, which means they’re on a four-game losing streak. The team from the Great White North is struggling as of late and the Revolution need to take advantage of it. I’m looking for goals from Bunbury and Fagundez.
Jake Catanese: Revs 3, Impact 1
Comment: One of the few places New England has been able to win on the road in recent years is Montreal, and with the Impact struggling out of the gate it’s a good bet the Revs can continue that trend today. Montreal’s horrid record stems from a leaky defense that has seen them concede 16 goals in their last four games, all losses.Montreal has also had a very heavy road slate to begin the year, with six of their first eight games away from home. While the Revs will likely be able to get chances from the press-and-counter style, the Impact are also horrid at defending set pieces as our friend from Black and Red United Jason Anderson notes below. I don’t think the Revs will take control of this one early, but if they do I’d like to see them see out a game with some late possession. Montreal is still a dangerous team with Ignacio Piatti on the field, but he lacks a lot of support behind him. It will be interesting to see how the Revs breakdown Montreal without an early red card.
Been keeping track of #MLS set piece goals. Here's where things stood before tonight's game kicked off. pic.twitter.com/Mxma82CwnC
— Jason Anderson (@chestrockwell14) May 5, 2018
Tony Moninski: Revs 2, Impact 1
Comment: It sure feels like this should be an easy three points for New England, especially considering Montreal’s string of poor results recently. However, the Impact really handcuffed Atlanta United’s attack on the road for 70 minutes before running out of gas. It seems as if first-year manager Remi Garde’s fingerprints are starting to make an impression. Piatti or Vargas are bound to score. I think Agudelo gets a goal, as well.
Sean Chase: Revs 1, Impact 0
Comment: The Impact have been struggling so far this season and I expect them to come out strong against the Revs. They’ll look to avenge their 4-0 loss to the Revs earlier this season, but I think the Revs will be able to record another clean sheet. Recording a clean sheet against the second-best attack in Sporting Kansas City will have the Revs defenders coming into this game with a lot of confidence. While the Revs haven’t proved yet that they’re a different team on the road in years past, an away game to the Impact will be a great time for them to change that perception with the potential of a decent showing from traveling Revs fans. I predict a solo effort from Penilla for the game-winning-goal against the run of play.
Summary:
NE win: 4
MTL win: 0
Draw: 0
Table
Name Matches Record Points* P/M
Seth 2 1-1 4 2.0
Jake 1 1-0 3 3.0
Sean 1 1-0 3 3.0
Nick 2 0-2 2 1.0
Tony 2 0-2 1 0.5
* correct result = +3; correct score (both teams) = +2; correct score (1 team) = +1
What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the Comments section below!