Crew-Impact Preview

The defending Eastern Conference champion Columbus Crew are one of two winless teams in MLS, and their next challenge comes against a highly motivated opponent.

The Montreal Impact were knocked out of the playoffs by the Crew in heartbreaking fashion and are seeking revenge Saturday at home.

Columbus (0-2-2) opened with two defeats before two straight draws, including a 1-1 result at FC Dallas last Saturday. The Crew's 0.75 goals per game is tied for the league's second-worst mark, although they are tied for sixth with 21 shots on goal.

They join D.C. United as the only winless clubs.

"We know we're creating plenty of chances, we're comfortable with that," coach Gregg Berhalter said. "We're comfortable with where our defense is playing so now it's just about sticking to the process and being comfortable in who we are and over time, it's going to correct itself."

Montreal (2-2-0) scored six goals in winning its first two games before getting shut out in consecutive defeats. That goal drought isn't the only thing on the minds of the Impact.

They won the first leg of last year's playoff series, 2-1. That set the stage for a dramatic second leg in Columbus, with the Crew tying the aggregate score in the 77th minute at 3-3 on a goal by Ethan Finlay and winning it in the 111th on Kei Kamara's second goal of the match.

"We obviously didn't want to get knocked out in the playoffs, and we felt, in many ways, that we were the team that should have advanced in that series, but it wasn't meant to be," goalkeeper Evan Bush told the Impact's official website. "You can't right all those wrongs in a regular-season game in the fifth week of the season, but it's a good stepping stone to try and wash that clean a little bit."

With this contest at Olympic Stadium with a turf field, 38-year-old Impact superstar Didier Drogba will sit out to protect his knees. That likely won't dampen the enthusiasm for this matchup, with a large crowd expected.

"It's going to be a tough game, on the road, it's our first time in the Olympic Stadium, we're looking forward to the experience and to the game," Berhalter said.

Montreal is looking forward to its second home game after falling 1-0 at Seattle last Saturday. The club is getting healthier with defender Ambroise Oyongo ready to return from a two-match absence due to a knee injury and Marco Donadel back at practice after a leg injury.

The Impact are 4-1-1 at home in this series with three straight wins.

"Everyone remembers we lost against them in the playoffs and we want to bounce back from our latest defeats," coach Mauro Biello said. "We know we face a good team on Saturday. We have to be ready. The level of intensity has to rise. It's the message this week."