After a heartbreaking loss in the CONCACAF Champions League to Club America, the Montreal Impact return to Stade Saputo in hopes of changing their luck. The visitors will be equally as hungry for a win, as the Portland Timbers are struggling to stay out of last place in the Western Conference, only ahead of the Colorado Rapids on points.

Of the four games Montreal has played in league play, they have yet to tally a win. The Impact currently sit in last place in the race for the Wooden Spoon with two points and the worst points per game differential, but a number of games in hand.

The last league game the Impact played resulted in a 3-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo. Their loss in the second leg of the CCL finals saw them give up a sobering four goals. Both scoring and defending has been a problem for the struggling Impact this season. While their defense has arguably been improved from last season, it still remains one of their biggest weaknesses. Belgian international defender Laurent Ciman will be at the center of the Montreal defense once again, but questions still remain as to who will fill in for left back Donny Toia who is currently recovering from an ankle injury. His timetable for a return remains uncertain.

Ignacio Piatti and Jack McInerney have the two lone goals for Montreal in MLS this season; both came in a 2-2 home tie against Orlando City SC. Both players have done well so far to fill the big shoes of Marco Di Vaio who retired at the end of last season. McInerney propelled the Impact in front of Toronto FC in the first leg of their home and away series in the Canadian Championship. McInerney will likely start on the bench as he went the full 90 minutes against Toronto on Wednesday. Newly acquired MLS journeyman Kenny Cooper could very well get his first start for his new club.

The Portland Timbers are just as eager to walk away on Saturday with three points. The Timbers have been shutout in their previous two games, both to Cascadian rivals, Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps. The results have all but knocked Portland out of contention for the Cascadia Cup. If the Timbers want to avoid missing the playoffs for a second year in a row, they need to start winning games.

Like Montreal, Portland's defense has so far appeared to have improved from last season. Nat Borchers has filled in at centerback, and the wingbacks, Alvas Powell and Jorge Villafana, have so far proven to be indispensable. The biggest problem for the Timbers' defense has been in the defensive midfield. Will Johnson is still out with a leg injury dating back to last year, but he is close to first team action. Johnson has been slowly getting match fit by spending the past two games with USL Pro side Timbers 2Jack Jewsbury and George Fochive have been filling in for Will Johnson during his absence. It is still unsure who will start alongside Diego Chara against the Impact.

Maxi Urruti will likely get his third consecutive start up top for the Timbers. Urruti has been the beneficiary of tension between DP striker Fanendo Adi and the club. After being sent to the locker room during practice one week, Adi has started the following two games on the bench. Reports are now coming out that Adi is likely on his way out of Portland during the next transfer window.

Russian and Mexican clubs have supposedly offered up to $2 million for the Nigerian. Adi currently leads the Timbers in goals scored with three; Urruti has just one goal on the season. It's unsure if Diego Valeri will start against Montreal. Valeri saw MLS action for the first time this season after coming off the bench in the second half last game. Valeri has been recovering from an ACL tear suffered last season. 

The Montreal Impact lead the MLS series against the Timbers 2-1. In their last meeting, last year, Portland edged out a victory in Montreal 3-2 thanks to a Diego Valeri goal in the 82nd minute. The same scenario will be played out as the two teams meet in Montreal for a 4:00PM local start. Catch the game on TSN, ROOT, and MLS Live.

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About the author
Joe Wielgus
Portland Timbers beat writer for VAVEL USA. Portland Timbers, AS Monaco FC, and Milwaukee Bavarians supporter