New York Red Bulls ready for Montreal Impact

So the first game of the season is officially under the Red Bulls belt as the club will now face off against the Montreal Impact in their home opener at Olympic Stadium. The Impact are coming off an impressive 3-2 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps as Ignacio Piatti scored two goals and an assist.

Since the coaching change from Frank Klopas to Mauro Biello in the middle of last season, the Impact have played better attacking soccer and looked more compact defensively that might say that this other Eastern Canadian side can also be a threat for the season if they can build on their season opening win.

But since the surprising trade of Harry Shipp coming over from the Chicago Fire, it seems that the Impact are looking very dangerous in the midfield, and using this new advantage to possibly make a big push to try and finish somewhere in the top two so they can avoid the one and done wild card game.

Gideon Baah had a successful season opener as he closed down Sebastian Giovinco all match long and now he has a chance to repeat that performance as the boys take on the Impact. "I think they are a good side, it's going to be a very difficult game more so than against Toronto." said Baah, "We just have to be prepared for the battle and if we are able to stay positive and stay compact we will bring a result back home."

What about facing against his countryman in Dominic Oduro? "I got to speak to him when he played for Philadelphia in the pre-season. He does a good job and I can't wait to play against him."

The one player that is excited to be heading back to Montreal and face off against his hometown side is center back Karl Ouimette who is going to have a little over 200 friends and family in Red Bulls gear supporting him as they will be outnumbered by the rest of the town.

"I think it's always good to come back home, it's going to be a challenge and a different game." said Ouimette, "I feel like Jesse prepares us for every game and I feel this is a great opportunity so I'm ready to go." But from Marsch it sounds like Ronald Zubar is ready to go for Saturday, but we shall wait and see when the starting 11 is announced.

Captain Dax McCarty is ready for this game and looking to erase the loss at home against Toronto FC. After practice on Wednesday, he was asked how he felt about the the Impact bringing in Shipp from Chicago. "Nothing surprises me about this league to be completely honest. There was a lot of buzz surrounding him, and a good pick up for Montreal." said McCarty, "But it's never about the opposition for me, we know that they are dangerous and we have to play our game. None of that stuff concerns me.

The Red Bulls are ready to put the first game behind them and earn their first win of the season against the Impact, who will be without Didier Drogba as he will not play on the field turf, but that doesn't mean the Impact are less dangerous as we saw them gain a solid victory against Vancouver.