Whitecaps FC-Impact Preview
The Vancouver Whitecaps are much better on the road after struggling away from home for much of 2014.
That will be put to the test in a grueling trip.
Vancouver opens a five-game trek Wednesday night against the Montreal Impact, who are still looking for their first goal in the series across MLS competition.
The Whitecaps (7-5-2) are coming off a 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday after being shut out in three of four. Cristian Techera, a 5-foot-2 midfielder on loan from River Plate of the Uruguayan Premier League, scored his first MLS goal in the 79th minute to put them ahead.
"He brings an energy about him, he's dynamic, and he scores goals," coach Carl Robinson said.
Vancouver is 3-2-1 on the road after going 1-4-6 in its last 11 last season. The three matches after this one are all against teams in playoff position: Los Angeles, the New York Red Bulls and New England.
"Good teams are able to grind and dig out results away form home and we've done that so far this year, but it can change at the drop of the hat," Robinson said. "We know that, but we know we're a decent team on the road. We're hard to beat. If we do the small jobs well, we've got a chance."
This marks these teams' only meeting in league action this season, though they'll play again in the Canadian Championship final Aug. 12 and 26. Montreal won the 2013 final over Vancouver on away goals.
The Whitecaps are 2-0-1 in league play against the Impact, outscoring them 5-0.
Montreal (2-4-2) has scored an MLS-low nine goals - all at home - and been shut out four times following Saturday's 3-0 loss at Chicago. The Impact recorded a season-worst three shots, the second-fewest in the league this year, and failed to put any on goal.
A lack of offense isn't anything new for Montreal as its 38 goals were the fewest in the Eastern Conference in 2014.
"The midweek game is an opportunity to get back on the field and try to put this bad performance behind us quickly," coach Frank Klopas said. "We know what Vancouver brings to the table, but Wednesday's game will be about our performance. We have to step in with the right mentality. You can stumble along the way, but it is how you recover that's important."
Marco Donadel is suspended for this contest after receiving his second yellow card for a bad tackle in the 37th minute against the Fire. He has one assist in five matches.
The Impact have scored six times in consecutive wins at home.