2015 MLS Team Preview: Montreal Impact
Things can’t get any worse in 2015 than they were in 2014 for the Montreal Impact.. right? The team finished dead last in all of Major League Soccer last season, despite qualifying for the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. The team were terrible in domestic play, picking up only six wins during the 2014 MLS campaign. Their leading goal scorer, Marco Di Vaio retired at the end of 2014 and has yet to really be replaced. However, there is plenty to be optimistic about in Montreal.
Quick Numbers:
2014 Record: 6-18-10
Conference Standing: 10th Place
League Standing: 19th Place
Finish: Didn’t qualify for the playoffs.
Top Scorer: Marco Di Vaio (9)
Top Playmaker: Justin Mapp (8)
Greatest Moment Last Season: Beating bitter rivals, Toronto FC 1-0 at Stade Saputo to win the AMWAY Canadian Championship and earn a spot in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.
Key Players This Season:
Marco Donadel– Montreal has never been shy to sign experienced Italian veterans and they proved that once again when they officially added former Napoli and Fiorentina midfielder, Marco Donadel to their roster.
Donadel will be a key member of the squad throughout the season as his ability to create in the mdifield is something the Impact desperately needed last season. He sat just above the defense in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday and was able to help spring counter-attacks on a number of occasions.
Laurent Ciman – The Impact made a great move in January when they picked up Belgium international, Laurent Ciman from Standard Liege. His experience and presence have been felt already as he was a big reason the Impact were able to pull off a draw in Mexico against Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal.
Ciman will work well with fellow newcomer, Bakary Soumare in the heart of defense. Montreal conceded 56 goals in league play last season, a stat that must improved on if the side from Quebec has any chance of reaching the postseason.
More from CF Montreal
- MLS Terminates Contract of Matko Miljevic with CF Montréal: Reflections on Conduct and Responsibility
- CF Montreal 0-0 Chicago Fire: Does anyone win?
- CF Montréal vs Chicago Fire match preview – Last chance saloon
- Grade the Trade: Rudy Camacho’s move to Columbus
- Montreal signs defender Fernando Álvarez from Pachuca
Key Departures:
Marco Di Vaio – How do you replace someone with as much experience and heart as Marco Di Vaio? That is a question Frank Klopas is still asking himself as the Impact head into the start of the season. Domenic Oduro played the striker role against Pachuca and did it well, but he is hardly a legitimate ‘No. 9’.
Montreal still desperately need someone to lead the line up top, something Di Vaio did very well in his time with the Impact.
The Big Question: Do the Montreal Impact have enough quality in their squad to be legitimate contenders for a playoff spot?
Montreal made a number of important signings during the off-season including the aforementioned Ciman, Donadel, and Soumare. This should help the team improve on a terrible 2014, but even with the expanded playoff format the Impact might find it difficult to earn a postseason spot in 2015.
They didn’t replace Marco Di Vaio with another true targetman and may struggle to find the back of the net as a result. However, Oduro is an MLS veteran who will help fill the void left by Di Vaio and Ignacio Piatti can be absolutely brilliant when he is on his game.
Impact fans have a lot to be excited for in 2015, regardless of whether they make the playoffs or not.