UNION (4-2-3-1)

Blake 

Fabinho-Marquez-Yaro-Rosenberry 

Creavalle-Bedoya 

Herbers-Barnetta-Pontius 

Sapong 

Bench: McCarthy, Gaddis, Tribbett, Carroll, Ilsinho, Davies, Alberg 

Impact (4-2-3-1) 

Kronberg 

Oyongo-Ciman-Camara-Toia 

Bernardello-Donadel 

Ontivero-Bernier-Piatti 

Mancosu 

Bench: Crepeau, Cabrera, Bekker, Mallace, Shipp, Oduro, Drogba 

Preview 

- Jim Curtin is restrained in the changes he makes after last week’s dour 3-0 loss in Chicago. Two of the three are obvious with the return of Alejandro Bedoya and Andre Blake from international duty. Fabian Herbers and Warren Creavalle retain their places despite pressure from healthy-again alternatives.

- With Josh Yaro back from bereavement leave, the rookie replaces Ken Tribbett. You’ll recall that Yaro struggled mightily last time these teams played, the 5-1 Montreal win at Stade Saputo, that landed Yaro in a four-game exile to the bench in favor of Tribbett, until Tribbett was raked over the coals by Toronto and withdrawn after a disastrous first half. With Didier Drogba on the bench (more on that in a moment), Yaro’s speed seems the better call.

- Montreal makes six changes from Wednesday’s 4-1 loss at home to Orlando City. The first in enforced, with Evan Bush suspended for a red card, serial backup Eric Kronberg in for a rare start. Drogba gets a rest at an opportune time for the Union, though Matteo Mancosu has been threatening in his opportunities. Patrice Bernier also plays higher up the pitch than usual in a defense posture for the visitors.

- The big matchup to watch is on Montreal’s attacking left side. Ignacio Piatti will be running at the Union’s right-side defense of Keegan Rosenberry and Yaro. Rosenberry has built his MLS reputation with his composed man-on-man defense of players like Piatti in open space, and the selection of Yaro has something to do with countering the fleet-of-foot Piatti (and in eliminating Tribbett’s tardy/occasionally ill-advised steps up into midfield).