Impact backup goalkeeper Eric Krongberg to start against Philadelphia

Sep 9, 2016 | 12:45 PM

MONTREAL — Goalkeeper Eric Kronberg knows just how important it is for the Impact to put their last game behind them.

Montreal heads to Philadelphia to face the Union in MLS action on Saturday just three days after their devastating 4-1 home loss against Orlando City SC.

“As a goalkeeper, you (forget) pretty quickly,” said Kronberg after the defeat on Wednesday. “Because you get scored on all the time, you have to learn from it quick and bounce back from it quick. With a quick turnaround, we can put a good performance together and get some points on the road.

“Three days (between games) is a long time. We just have to make sure we stay together, stay as a team, we learn from it and grow from it and we go after it on Saturday and go for points in Philadelphia.”

Kronberg, usually Montreal’s backup ‘keeper, will get the start in Philadelphia after Evan Bush was shown a red card against Orlando. Bush tripped up a streaking Carlos Rivas in the box in the 51st minute, leaving the referee no choice but to show red.

The 33-year-old Kronberg, making his first MLS appearance of the season, conceded a goal to Kaka on the ensuing penalty kick and another one to Rivas in the 77th minute.

The former Sporting Kansas City player last started an MLS match on Sept. 16, 2015, a 1-1 draw in San Jose. His only other game action before Wednesday’s 38-minute substitute appearance was in two Canadian Championship matches earlier this summer.

Kronberg’s last MLS victory was on June 27, 2014, a 1-0 win against Portland. He was still with Sporting KC at the time.

“He’s our No. 2 goalkeeper, so he’s getting the start” said head coach Mauro Biello. “I know Maxime (Crepeau) is playing very well with FC Montreal (the Impact’s USL affiliate), but Philadelphia is a team that puts a lot of emphasis on crosses in the middle. Kronberg’s experience will definitely be an asset.”

Saturday’s game against Philadelphia is yet another in a string of crucial matches against Eastern Conference opponents all vying for a spot in the post-season.

The Union (11-10-7) are fourth in the East with 40 points, while Montreal (9-8-10) is in fifth with 37 points. Of Montreal’s remaining seven games this season, six are against Eastern Conference opposition all within range of the final playoff spot.

Biello’s men will be looking to continue their recent road form. Montreal has been tough to beat away from Saputo Stadium as of late. The Impact are 1-1-4 with two clean sheets in their last six road games.

Philadelphia, eyeing its first MLS post-season berth in five years, will want a bit of redemption after an embarrassing 5-1 loss against Montreal on July 23. The Impact were dominant in that game, scoring five goals for the first time since 2013.

The Union, coming off a shock 3-0 defeat against the Chicago Fire last week, will have goalkeeper Andre Blake (Jamaica) and midfielder Alejandro Bedoya (United States) back from international duty.

Blake has five clean sheets at home this season, and the Union are 3-1-0 when Bedoya is in the lineup.

After hosting Montreal, Philadelphia goes on the road for three weeks.

“We have three at home, three on the road, no easy games left,” Union head coach Jim Curtin told the team’s website this week. “The table, you can throw it out the window at this stage because anybody can beat anybody in this league if you’re not ready to go.”

Notes: Impact left back Ambroise Oyongo, who just came back from international duty with Cameroon, may be absent due to fatigue. … Chris Pontius leads the Union with 10 goals. … Injured Union captain Maurice Edu (left tibia) will not be in the lineup.

Kelsey Patterson, The Canadian Press