After securing their first MLS victory in franchise history, the Montreal Impact will seek another milestone, their first win on the road.
The Impact might have a little trouble accomplishing that goal Saturday night when they'll face an FC Dallas team unbeaten at home so far this season.
Andrew Wenger scored a late insurance goal and Sinisa Ubiparipovic provided an early tally to lead Montreal past Canadian rival Toronto FC at Olympic Stadium last weekend. The 2-1 victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Impact (1-4-1).
"This is an important win for the club, the city and the players," coach Jesse Marsch told the team's website. "However, the work must continue. We are pleased and satisfied with this moment, but the players are well-grounded and they understand that this is a process."
Montreal, 0-4-0 away from home, will continue that during a two-game road stretch that begins against FC Dallas (2-2-1), which snapped a three-game winless streak April 5 by scoring in stoppage time. Ugo Ihemelu tallied that goal to give his team a 1-0 victory over New England, and goalkeeper Kevin Hartman became the first MLS player to surpass 35,000 minutes during his league-best 107th shutout.
"We started slow, but we know we have to continue to build and get better," Ihemelu told the team's website. "Teams that build and get better at the end of the season are the most dangerous. With that win, we stay on track and we're exactly where we want to be."
FC Dallas, 2-0-1 at home this season, will try to keep progressing with help from forward Fabian Castillo, who returned from a three-game absence due to a bruised knee during the win over New England. The team is also getting midfielder Jackson Goncalves back after loaning him to Brazilian club Cruzeiro.
"We really felt it was important we strengthen our depth in the midfield as much as possible," coach Schellas Hyndman said. "Jackson wanted to come back to Dallas. He's a player who knows our system and our players, and I expect his transition back into MLS will be very smooth."
FC Dallas' midfield has been plagued with injuries as David Ferreira (ankle), Ricardo Villar (foot) and Andrew Wiedeman (sports hernia surgery) expected to miss this game. Defender George John is questionable because of concussion symptoms as is forward Scott Sealy (hamstring).
"They're missing their main piece in David Ferreira. He's a big part of what they do in the center of the field," Marsch said. "We've got to make sure that now we can command the middle of the park."
This is the only matchup between the clubs this season.
