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Impact-Crew Preview

The Montreal Impact face a daunting task as they attempt to snap a road winless streak that spans 25 regular-season matches.

They haven't scored on the road in MLS play this year and have lost all five previous visits to Columbus, where the Crew are expected to have some key players back in the lineup for Saturday night's matchup.

Montreal (3-4-2) is 0-18-7 on the road in MLS regular-season games since a 4-2 victory at New England on Sept. 13, 2013. The club is closing in on the league-worst 0-20-7 skid by New York from May 31, 2008-Oct. 14, 2009.

"On the road, it's never the same," captain Patrice Bernier told the league's official website. "We have to be smarter, more focused and more alert to make sure that it's up to the other team to make mistakes and pounce."

Columbus (4-5-4) has outscored Montreal 10-2 in winning all five home matchups, part of its 6-2-1 overall lead in the series. The Crew won twice and lost once to the Impact last year, with the home team winning every time.

The Impact have been outscored 7-0 in going 0-3-1 on the road this year in MLS play. They have played the fewest matches in the league due to their run to the CONCACAF Champions League final.

"We've watched them on TV through the CONCACAF Champions League and you kind of have a familiarity with them but we haven't played them," Crew midfielder Ethan Finlay said. "They had a great run there and now they're catching up on their MLS games."

Both teams played Wednesday, with Columbus losing 3-0 at Philadelphia and Montreal winning 2-1 over Vancouver.

The Crew will welcome back defender Michael Parkhurst from a one-game red card suspension. In addition, Kei Kamara and Tony Tchani are expected to return to the lineup after neither started Wednesday.

Kamara played the last 25 minutes, though he failed to add to his league-high 10 goals.

Coach Gregg Berhalter chose to use less than a full-strength lineup as he gave Chad Barson, Sergio Campbell and Aaron Schoenfeld their first career starts. Those players likely won't see action Saturday with the Crew winless in four (0-2-2).

"I think Gregg's made it pretty apparent that he's going to make some changes and we'll have to have some guys step up," Finlay said. "I think in the past we've done a good job of that."

Columbus is 3-0-1 in its last four at home.

The Impact got goals from Jack McInerney and Ignacio Piatti in Wednesday's win - their third straight at home. They have scored all 11 goals in their five home games.

"It just shows what this team has," McInerney said. "We've worked hard this season and I think three wins in a row at home are good for our confidence."

Midfielder Marco Donadel is eligible to return after serving a one-game suspension.

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