Keeping a lid on the Montreal Impact will rely on United’s ability to defend against the counter, and that means containing Montreal’s all-important No. 10, Ignacio Piatti. The 33-year-old Argentinian attacker has served as the creative fulcrum for the Impact since his arrival in 2014, and he will play a massive role in United’s do-or-die matchup against the Impact on Saturday night.
The Argentinian leads the Impact in goals (13), assists (13) and chances created (53) and has been the catalyst for Montreal’s own march toward a playoff berth.
Containing Piatti will be key to victory for the Black-and-Red, and the defenders know what what they will be up against. United defender Steven Birnbaum knows that as well as anybody, as the pair have faced each other six times in the regular season and playoffs since they both entered the league in 2014.
“Obviously he’s been their focal point throughout the years i’ve been in the league,” Birnbaum said. “He usually likes to play on their left side and he’s so good with his body that he can make guys miss. Once he gets a head of steam it’s hard to stop him, so the biggest thing is to contain him. We want to keep him wide and prevent him from cutting in and getting on that right foot of his.”
This season, Montreal has done a lot of damage on the counter, and that has run primarily through Piatti. In the Impact’s 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Union, Piatti’s speed and creativity was central in the Impact’s ability to turn two Philly corner kicks into goals for the Impact.
Birnbaum noted that to prevent similar mistakes, the United back line will have to be tuned in and particularly careful with the ball in their own half.
“First of all, we have to be good with the ball,” Birnbaum said. “When we’re in possession we have to make the right decisions with the ball and don’t give cheap giveaways. The second part is active marking when we do have the ball in our attacking half. When you’re smart actively and have the backs all tuned in while we’re possessing the ball it’s big for us.”
Montreal’s ability to play deep and counter has served them well in earning points on the road, and that will be no different when they arrive at Audi Field. United will look to get on the front foot early, and while it’s a dangerous gamble for Montreal, it is a strategy that has served them well in the past.
In turn, United know that the Impact will be looking for a mistake to capitalize on, and they know if they find one they will quickly look to get the ball to Piatti.
Outside back Oniel Fisher noted that United has to step up early in an effort to disrupt his rhythm.
“It varies, sometimes you want to stay tight to [Piatti],” Fisher said. “You want to not give him as much space and let him turn. I think you just have to get into him early as the game starts, just try to get into his head and be tough on him.”
With a chance at the playoffs on the line, the Black-and-Red have prepared to keep Piatti quiet and make sure the supporters in the stands are making the most noise by the end of Saturday night.
