Battle Tested Columbus Crew Host Montreal Impact

Winning 1-0 at home against the New England Revolution, the Columbus Crew are the front runners to earn the fifth place spot in the Eastern Conference. Their next task is to get a win against the Montreal Impact this Saturday. The last meeting between these two teams resulted in a 2-0 win for Montreal in Stade Saputo.

The Columbus Crew currently sit in 5th place, with 40 points, heading into the final stretch of the MLS regular season. Their last match was a victory over 3rd place New England Revolution. A costless kick goal in the 48th minute from Federico Higuain lifted the home side to a 1-0 win. The key player to keep an eye out for from Columbus is midfielder, Tony Tchani. With timely, and well placed through balls from midfield, allowing the attacker to run on, will, most likely, hurt the Montreal defense; Although, things may have changed. One key to victory for Columbus is to defend well, and win the second ball. If they're able to win the second ball and start an attack, they can be lethal in the attacking third of the pitch.

Montreal Impact are coming into this matchup with a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Goals scored by Jack McInerney and --former Columbus Crew player-- Dilly Duka, lifted the Impact over the Earthquakes; But still find themselves below the red line. Since acquiring Dilly Duka from Chicago Fire, Duka is now a consistent starter in the Montreal lineup. That is the player the Crew defense need to keep control of. Willing to make any runs on goal, Dilly Duka is a star midfielder who will win balls, and tackles, cleanly.

Giving the benefit of the doubt, it is uncertain who will come out victorious in this matchup. Montreal, who sits 10th place in the Eastern Conference, came out on top against the Columbus Crew who were in 4th place in their last meeting.

Prediction: Fighting for a playoff spot, Columbus will come out winners of this matchup.

Columbus Crew 2-0 Montreal Impact

Projected Lineup: Columbus Crew

Clark;

Francis--Wahl--Parkhurst (c)--Gehrig

Trapp--Tchani

Meram--Higuain--Finlay

Schoenfeld

Projected Lineup: Montreal Impact

Perkins;

Lapa--Pearce--Lefevre--Miller

Mallace--Campanholi