Montreal Impact manager Thierry Henry praises Nashville SC's aggressive defense

Montreal Impact manager and soccer legend Thierry Henry has seen his fair share of strong defenses in MLS. By his standards, Nashville SC is one of them.

Columbus Crew (16) and the Philadelphia Union (17) are the only two teams in MLS that have conceded less goals than Nashville (18) this season.

Combine that with Nashville's tough-tackling midfield — particularly Anibal Godoy, Brian Anunga and Alex Muyl — Henry will approach the match on Tuesday  (6 p.m., MyTV30) between No. 8 Nashville (6-6-7, 25 points) and No. 9 Montreal (7-11-2, 23 points) in the Eastern Conference with a great deal of respect.

"It's going to be very difficult against Nashville because they impose that battle with you," Henry said Monday on a video conference call with reporters.  "They can play also too, don't get me wrong. But, they have guys that are physical, quick and aggressive in the right way, in the right manner.

"(I have) a lot of respect because it's a new franchise and there was a lot of stuff happening during the MLS Is Back (Tournament). They are more than surviving."

Henry is also new — as a manager anyway. After a brief stint with AS Monaco in France's Ligue 1 during the 2018-19 season, the former Arsenal, Barcelona and New York Red Bulls striker was brought on by Montreal last November. 

"I think Thierry's influence on that team is starting to show," Nashville coach Gary Smith said Friday after Nashville's draw with the New England Revolution. "They themselves have their own difficulties in the current schedule and staying away from home, I'm sure — it's not easy for that group."

Due to a non-essential travel prohibition across North American borders, the Impact has played its home matches at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, since Sept. 20. That will continue Tuesday.

Henry later acknowledged Nashville's much-improved attack as of late. Nashville has scored eight goals in its last four matches, after scoring only two in the first four of its Phase Two schedule, which began Sept. 19.

Specifically, Montreal is aware of Nashville's danger from set pieces. The Boys in Gold are tied for a league-best seven goals from a dead ball. Montreal has punched in five of its 20 total goals from set pieces.

Impact center back and England youth international Luis Banks said pivotal factors in that were Nashville's size and collective belief. 

"We don't go up there believing (we can score) maybe, I don't know. But they've definitely got there, believing they can score," said the Tottenham Hotspur academy product. "… They're a team. They play together, so it will be a hard game but it's one that we can win."

Tuesday's match will be the first official clash between the sides, though they met in the preseason on Feb. 13 in Tampa, Florida. Center forward Dominique Badji, who is currently nursing a hamstring injury and has missed the past seven matches, scored the lone goal. Tuesday will be Nashville left back Dan Lovtiz's first match against his old team.

A lot has changed with each team on the field since February. Not to mention, the effects of COVID-19 off the field. The one similarity between Nashville and Montreal is the MLS Cup Playoff chase, each side fighting to secure one of the 10 Eastern Conference playoff slots.

"They're a team that are good at what they do. Very aggressive, difficult to break them down. They don't concede a lot," Henry said. "You have eight teams on the same boat as us, so we're going to try to make sure that we stay on it."

Smith shared similar sentiments.

"As far as importance and maybe the effects on this Eastern Conference, another result in New York, against the Montreal team that are in and around us and fighting for a playoff position, (is) very important," Smith said.

For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake.