Impact’s Bush sees hope after brutal road stretch

The Montreal Impact knew it would be tough to pick up points while playing six of their first eight Major League Soccer games away from home.

But they had hoped to do better than a 2-6 record and an MLS -high 21 goals conceded.

Now they’re back a Saputo Stadium for three of their next four games, starting Saturday (1 p.m., TVA Sports, TSN 690 Radio) against the New England Revolution (4-2-2).

“Playing six out of eight on the road in tough environments kind of baptized us with a bit of fire,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “We went through a really tough stretch and now we can focus more on exactly what it is we want to be.”

It hasn’t helped that they have given opponents six chances from the penalty spot.

“You get frustrated, but at the same time, we came into this season understanding that we have a new staff, we have a lot of turnover on the team and then you add in the injuries, suspensions, red cards, penalties and all those things,” said Bush.

RASH OF INJURIES

It has been a difficult start for first-year coach Rémi Garde, who made major roster changes only to run into a rash of injuries early on that has impeded efforts to build chemistry among the players. Keeping a healthy defence together has been the main challenge, although Rod Fanni may be ready to return and Victor Cabrera will be back from a one-game suspension.

That might allow Garde to give up the five-man back line he’s used in recent games in favour of his preferred 4-3-3 formation, so that his team can keep possession of the ball and make the opposing team’s defence work more.

Bush said the players have become closer as they try to work themselves out of their slump and are feeling upbeat now that the most difficult part of their scheduleisover.

They’ll need it, because one transfer window closed this week and the next won’t open until July 10, so there will be no reinforcements for at least the next eight weeks.

The test will come from New England, who are 1-1-1 in their last three and are coming off a 1-0 home win over Kansas City on the fourth goal of the season from Hamilton, Ont., native Teal Bunbury.