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The fourth and final game of a demanding four-game road streak for Orlando City SC, Jason Kreis‘ Lions now head East across Canada to take on Rémi Garde’s Montreal Impact.

Heading to Saputo Stadium following a 5-2 thrashing at Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, Orlando City SC will be eager to grab all three points against one of the Eastern Conference’s weaker franchises.

A huge effort is needed to pick up a victory however with heads down right now. Despite equalising with 10 men after Mohamed El-Munir‘s red card at BC Place, the way in which we then capitulated was disappointing.

Struggling to contain Alphonso Davies all day long, the 17-year-old racked up a hat-trick of assists and a goal for himself in a desperate day for the Orlando City SC defence.

Ultimately, it’s been way too easy for opposition sides to score against us in recent weeks. Prior to Kei Kamara’s 36th minute equaliser, Orlando City SC were well in the game.

Similarly, the way in which Joe Bendik unfortunately handed Alphonso Davies his 76th minute strike to seize a crucial 2-1 lead against 10 men, there is a lack of resilience and ruthlessness from the Lions at the moment.

But prior to a 10-day break, Orlando City SC have the opportunity to  re-write these wrongs at Montreal Impact.

Rémi Garde has struggled to get a tune out of the Canadian side in his first MLS season with Impact currently languishing in tenth (15 games played, 12 points) in the Eastern Conference.

Winning just four games so far this season, Montreal Impact have also scored the joint fewest amount of goals (15) in the East following Gameweek 15 and are extremely reliant on Argentine DP Ignacio Piatti.

Only approaching the halfway point of the 2018 Major League Soccer season, this game does have a must-win feel about it for Orlando City SC not because games are few but rather to reassure ourselves against a similarly weak opponent right now.

The Lions’ cause may be helped by the returning Dom Dwyer however who earned around 30 minutes’ action from the bench plus a consolation strike at Vancouver Whitecaps following injury.

2015/17 head-to-head stats

Last facing off at Saputo Stadium back in August 2017, Montreal Impact struck the winning goal in the final 10 minutes putting a dagger through the Lions’ hearts.

With substitute Anthony Jackson-Hamel scoring the winner in the 84th minute just five minutes after entering the field, this completed a second-half turnaround for the hosts who initially trailed a 12th minute Cyle Larin opener.

Part of Orlando City SC‘s dismal run of eight games without a win between July and September 2017, we hope for better this time in Quebec.

Anthony Jackson-Hamel’s goal against Orlando City SC – Highlights – August 5, 2017 (Credit: Impact de Montréal)

There is perfect symmetry along the wins, draws and losses columns for both sides in this game series so far.

Both teams entered 2018 with plenty to prove after Montreal Impact finished ninth and Orlando City SC tenth in the Eastern Conference last term.

With Rémi Garde struggling for wins in his first MLS season, Impact are a side Orlando City SC really need to be beating if they truly have designs on reaching the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.

When it comes to this current Montreal Impact roster, there is only one man who truly stands out – Ignacio Piatti!

The 33-year-old Argentine has been Impact’s talisman for a long time now, scoring 52 MLS goals for the Canadian side.

An 2017 MLS All-Star Game selection, Ignacio Piatti is currently Impact’s top scorer this season with five goals and worryingly, he’s hot against Orlando City SC with three goals in his last two appearances against the Lions.

In a pulsating 3-3 draw at Orlando City Stadium almost a year ago now, two goals in two second-half minutes from the Argentine put the visitors into a 2-3 lead before Jonathan Spector‘s last gasp leveller.

Orlando City SC 3 Montreal Impact 3 – Highlights – June 17, 2017 (Credit: Major League Soccer)

Montreal Impact form

When you look across Major League Soccer, Montreal Impact seem the best side Orlando City SC can face in their current predicament.

Rémi Garde’s side have failed to score in FIVE of their last SIX MLS fixtures, a terrible run of form that leaves the Canadian side languishing tenth in the Eastern Conference after 15 games played (12 points).

This is quite simply a game Orlando City SC need to win if they are serious about making the 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Orlando City SC form

With Orlando City SC supporters thoroughly depressed following our 5-2 humbling at Vancouver Whitecaps, it’s important not give up on the season.

Although it’s easy to lose heart considering we are yet to reach the post-season in three attempts, Jason Kreis‘ Lions need to take things game by game and with Montreal Impact a side lacking confidence themselves, this is a good opportunity to get back on track.

Alphonso Davies puts on a show vs. Orlando City SC – Highlights – June 9, 2018 (Credit: Vancouver Whitecaps FC)