MLS Regular Season | Match #18
New England Revolution at Montreal Impact
Wednesday, October 14 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Red Bull Arena | Harrison, N.J.
Watch: NBC Sports Boston
Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub (English), 1260 AM Nossa Radio USA (Portuguese)
Revolution Pregame Live presented by Dan O’Brien Automotive Group (6:45 p.m.)
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CURRENT FORM
New England Revolution
6th in Eastern Conference (6-4-7, 25 pts.)
Last Result | 2-1 win at New York City FC
Lee Nguyen became the first player in Revolution history to register both 50 goals and 50 assists with the club in Sunday night’s 2-1 win over New York City FC, assisting on Teal Bunbury’s third-minute opener before notching the game winner from the penalty spot late in the second half.
It was New England’s fourth win in their last five road games, while it pushed the Revs’ record to 3-1-1 in their last five matches overall. The only loss during that stretch was against Supporters’ Shield leaders Toronto FC, while one of the wins came against Wednesday night’s opponent, as the Revs beat the Impact, 3-1, three weeks ago.
Montreal Impact
8th in Eastern Conference (6-9-2, 20 pts.)
Last Result | 2-1 loss at Philadelphia Union
Montreal have hit a rough patch as Thierry Henry’s side is 1-5-1 in the past month, a stretch that included four straight losses by multiple goals. But the Impact also proved their potential in early October, going on the road to hand Columbus Crew SC just their third loss of the season.
Because of travel restrictions between the U.S. and Canada the Impact are currently playing their “home” matches at Red Bull Arena, where they’re 0-1-1 as the hosts.
KEY PLAYERS
Revolution forward Teal Bunbury
In need of an attacking spark on Sunday at Yankee Stadium, veteran forward Teal Bunbury delivered. Playing as the No. 9 with Gustavo Bou injured and Adam Buksa on the bench, Bunbury used his speed to race in behind the NYCFC backline and open the scoring in just the third minute, sending the Revs on their way to a 2-1 win.
Whether playing up top or on the wing, Bunbury has been one of the Revolution’s most consistent performers throughout an unpredictable 2020 season. He’s currently tied for the team lead with five goals, including the club’s first of the year back on February 29 against Wednesday night’s opponent, the Montreal Impact.
Impact midfielder Romell Quioto
Romell Quioto was suspended when the Impact visited Gillette Stadium three weeks ago, but the Honduran attacker returned this past weekend against Philadelphia and notched an assist shortly after stepping onto the field. Although he missed four games from September 23 to October 7, Quioto has been lethal when available, notching three goals and one assist in his last four appearances.
All told Quioto leads the Impact with six goals this season, one of which was scored against the Revolution in Montreal’s 2-1 win to open the campaign on February 29.
STATUS REPORT
Revolution
Gustavo Bou has missed the last two games through injury, but Bruce Arena said the Argentine forward could be available for Wednesday night’s trip to face the Impact depending on how he came through Tuesday’s training session. Bou is tied with Teal Bunbury for the team lead with five goals.
Cristian Penilla, however, “will not be available any time in the near future” according to Arena, having picked up an injury in the first half of the Revs’ win over NYCFC on Sunday.
Matt Polster came off the bench to play 32 minutes in that win at Yankee Stadium, returning to the field after missing two games with a concussion and drawing the penalty kick that Lee Nguyen converted.
Impact
Lassi Lappalainen had been hitting his stride for Montreal in recent weeks, scoring three goals in a four-game stretch from September 23 to October 7, but the Finnish attacker is currently unavailable while on international duty. Jukka Raitala, who had played every minute for Montreal since the re-start in late August, has joined Lappalainen with the Finland national team.
The Impact are also missing several players because of injury, including forwards Orji Okwonkwo and Anthony Jackson-Hamel.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
New England Revolution head coach Bruce Arena
“It’ll be definitely tested. I think for all the teams in the league – with the exception of the teams that have not played the full schedule because of suspended games due to the virus – I think this is an extremely challenging time. If I’m not mistaken, this is our fourth game in probably 11 days, 12 days, something like that. That’s extremely difficult for players. I think you need to test your depth at some point, and certainly tomorrow is the most demanding game probably over the last 10, 11 days.”
New England Revolution midfielder Matt Polster
“We have a weird, growing confidence right now that we don’t mind going away from home and know we can pick up points. I’m not sure if there’s one particular thing we can pick out that’s why we’re winning away from home. But the way we’ve set up our formation now and the way we’re pressing teams high gives us a lot of confidence. I think we’re a good team, we’re good on the ball, able to break pressing teams that try and press us.”
