Preview: The Red Bulls cross the border to take on the Montreal Impact

The New York Red Bulls are in first place. A goal from the Duke Bluedevil Brian White was enough to see the team past an out of form Houston Dynamo side 1-0.

White made just one other appearance the entire season, seeing out the end of a thrilling two all draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps. His full 90 minute performance against the Dynamo was great to see, and his goal was just the icing on the cake for the young striker.

Chris Armas made a whole host of changes after playing his first team for four straight matches in just 11 days. The team may have looked a bit different on paper, but the result was just what the players needed.

Now, with their final game before a well deserved break, the Red Bulls travel to Saputo Stadium to face the Montreal Impact. The Impact may not have had as many matches as the Red Bulls, but their form has been rough to say the least.

The Impact have won just one of their last six matches. Their most recent result was a 3-1 loss to Toronto FC which saw Sebastian Giovinco run riot on their team.

Just a month ago, the Impact were in their best form of the season. June saw the team tally 12 of a possible 15 points on the road to a huge four match winning streak. Since then, however, the team has just two other wins.

Leading the team again this season is Argentine playmaker Ignacio Piatti. The forward has 12 goals and eight assists on the year and always has the potential to rip apart the opposing defense.

His constant contribution to the team makes him a marked man, though, which is where loanee Saphir Taider steps into the light. Taider has scored five goals so far, and his form is continually improving.

Taider had a fantastic month of July, scoring four goals for the Impact. This included a brace at home against Colorado Rapids that saw the Impact win 2-1. His goal scoring abilities have since dropped off, though, as he has not scored since July 21st.

Tyler Adams should be back in the starting XI to face the Impact, so slowing down Taider will be a top priority. Armas could also task Sean Davis with marking Taider and shift Adams to a more central role so he can keep tabs on Piatti.

The return of the usual faces to the starting lineup will be exciting for the Red Bulls. With Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kaku getting a full rest, expect them to come back firing on all cylinders.

The reverse fixture saw the Red Bulls run over the Impact at Red Bull Arena. An early BWP goal kicked things off for the home side as both Kaku and Michael Murillo added goals of their own.

A 3-1 victory on the day was deserved, but Armas knows his team has to prepare a bit differently when they travel to Montreal. The Impact are a different beast at home, so they cannot be sucked in by their recent poor form.

Ending this hectic few weeks with three wins in a row would be perfect for the Red Bulls. They are ahead of Atlanta United by just one point in the Supporters Shield race, so every point from now on will mean so much more.

Patience will be key for the Red Bulls as they look to break down a stubborn Impact defense. They have already shown this season that they have the tools to succeed, so as long as the team stays focused, another big three points should be heading their way.