The Impact will need to avoid turnovers in the face of the Red Bulls, Saturday

Photo: Peter McCabe, The canadian Press
Blerim Dzemaili wants to be the engine of offensive Impact with four goals and four helpers in nine games since his arrival within the team.

Time is running out for the Impact and the club will have to rein in one of the teams of the time in MLS if it wishes to initiate the momentum that will lead it up in the playoffs.

The Impact will be crossing the iron with the Red Bulls of New York, Saturday, at Red Bull Arena.

The troupe Mauro Biello will try to bounce back after a setback dry 2-1 to FC Dallas last weekend. The Impact (6-7-6) remains stuck in ninth place in the Association of the East, seven points of the Columbus Crew and the sixth and last place giving access to playoff.

For their part, the Red Bulls (10-8-2) have won their last three MLS games and have a record of 7-2-2 in their last 11 outings in all competitions.

“They have used several systems and they have had success lately with a kind of 3-4-3, said Biello, earlier this week. With the ball, they try to create odd man rushes by sending long balls forward to install very high on the field. It is there that they try to unbalance with an excess. “

Costly mistakes

The many twists and turns have sunk the Impact over the past few weeks, especially in the recovery from the defensive line. The Red Bulls have the reputation of being a team that applies a lot of pressure and Impact players need to be vigilant to avoid making costly mistakes.

“We worked in training on ways to handle pressure and how to get out of it, said Biello. We expect to continue to incur their pressure, especially during the first 15 or 20 minutes. They will not be able to keep up the pressure for 90 minutes. Things will open up and we’re going to have to recognize those moments to enjoy it. When they bring pressure with five or six players, it may create situations of one-on-one behind. It is a risk they take. Last year, yes they played up, but it sometimes left a Nacho [Ignacio Piatti] or Matteo [Mancosu] in one against one. It is necessary to exploit these situations. “

A lot of wounded

The hic for the Impact, it is as Mancosu has not scored in its last six games and has been limited to one goal in 11 games since 7 April. Of his hand, Piatti is recovering from an injury to the hamstring and his availability is uncertain for the duel to face the Red Bulls. Biello has also confirmed that midfielders Marco Donadel (knee) and Andrés Romero (leg) and defender Hassoun Camara (thigh) will not be available.

However, Blerim Dzemaili wants to be the engine of offensive Impact with four goals and four helpers in nine games since his arrival with the team in early may. In addition, Michael Salazar is the player of the time with the Blue-white-black, who has hit the target in the last three meetings.

“He listens well and he does exactly what is asked, said Biello about the Belize 24-year-old. It does its job at the level of the dry-cleaning. It helps the defender side. And when the ball is on the wing, he goes into the box, where it is very strong. “

Salazar, who went to regain their confidence by scoring two goals in four outings with the Ottawa Fury in may, has admitted that this stay in NASL had been beneficial.

“I think the way I prepare myself before games is different. I have a good routine that seems to work, told Salazar. I did exactly the same thing before the last three games and I’ve scored every time. It helps me focus, bring energy on the field. “

And what is this routine ? “It’s a secret,” stressed Salazar.

Biello should expect to see a foal be able to repeat the same routine in New York and to prolong its beautiful sequence. Another setback would significantly increase the pressure on the coach and his team, while the patience of the supporters is increasingly tested.