Tuesday, March 19, 2024

MLS: San Jose v Montreal preview

Next up we see San Jose Earthquakes who host Montreal Impact on the opening weekend of the 2019 MLS season. Earthquakes come into this fresh off the back of a decent pre-season and the appointment of new head coach, Matias Almeyda. Montreal will be looking to kick on and move into the play-offs this season after a very decent second half of the 2018 campaign.

Last season saw yet more disappointment for San Jose as they finished rock bottom of not only the Western Conference, but the MLS overall. They finished seven points below the next lowest team in the league. On the other hand, Montreal started the season relatively poor but they regained a bit of form and finished seventh in the East – four points away from a spot in the MLS play-offs.

MLS is back!

MLS is back
Oct 21, 2018; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Vako Qazaishvili (11) kicks the ball against the Colorado Rapids during the second half at Avaya Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

These two sides did face off against each other once last season in a game that saw Montreal Impact come away 2-0 victors. In total, they’ve clashed seven times over the years in MLS with Impact winning four of them, San Jose winning two and just the one draw.

As I mentioned earlier, San Jose are coming into this game on the back of a pretty decent pre-season campaign which saw them beat LAFC 3-0, Draw 2-2 with Seattle and lose 3-0 to Reno. Montreal’s pre-season was perhaps even more impressive as they remained unbeaten throughout the five games they played. They picked up wins against Nashville, Philadelphia Union and DC United before drawing with FC Cincinnati and Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Not much in the way of team news from the San Jose camp as they come into this one with a fully fit squad. Meanwhile, Montreal Impact will be without Ken Krosicki who is recovering from a dislocated elbow and Jason Beautieu who has a cist on his knee.

Prediction: Should be an interesting matchup but for me, Montreal look the stronger side. I’m going to say 2-0 to the visitors in this one.

For more like this, visit the dedicated MLS section here. Meanwhile, follow us on Facebook for news and analysis right to your timeline.

Jaguars want explosive Ridley back in 2024

The Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson has said he wants WR Calvin Ridley to return in 2024. "He was a great addition to our offense," Pederson...

Colts committed to bring back impressive WR1

The Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard has categorically stated WR1 Michael Pittman will be a Colt next season. Speaking at the NFL Combine, when asked if...

Jets dumping massive flop 2nd-pick Wilson

The New York Jets have given Zach Wilson permission to seek a trade, in the same week that rumours about the Rams potentially looking at...

Patriots clearest sign of new QB in 2024

Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf has given the clearest indication yet that they will be taking a QB in the 2024 NFL draft. "I think...