Confident Montreal happy to be home
Action from the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match between the Impact de Montreal (blue jersey) and host Pachuca (white jersey) on February 24, 2015, in Pachuca, Mexico. (Photo: Mexsport)
MONTREAL -- The Impact de Montreal returned from Mexico full of confidence after a 2-2 draw at Pachuca on February 24 in the opener of their Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL) quarterfinal series.
Now, channeling self-belief into a second-leg performance on Tuesday that ultimately yields a berth in the next round will be critical. A win, as well draws of 0-0 and 1-1, will lift the Impact into its first-ever SCCL semifinal.
“We have to look at how big this game is and just be confident,” said Montreal midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, who played in plenty of massive matches with former clubs Aston Villa and West Ham United. “We went there (to Mexico) and did really well, and I think people didn’t expect us to even get a result there. But, actually, if people re-watch that game I still believe we had the better chances.”
Due to wintry conditions in Montreal, the Impact will host Pachuca under the covered Olympic Stadium – adjacent to Stade Saputo, its usual home -- where the largest-ever attended SCCL encounter was held. In 2009, the current Canadian champion defeated another Mexican side, Santos, 2-0, before 55,571 fans.
Another bumper is crowd is expected at the venue and that is reassuring to left-back Donny Toia.
“Coming into our home stadium, we just can’t lose at home” said 22-year-old. “It’s our territory and we have to show them who’s the boss. We got to come out strong and make sure we defend really well and stay as a team.”
The conversation in Montreal is about finishing the job at home.
Forward Dominic Oduro summed it up best and simply, stating: “The ball is on our court.”
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