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MLS stock report and preview: Eastern Conference

By Joshua Bowers

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY- October 28: Sean Davis #27 of New York Red Bulls, Alex Muyl #19 of New York Red Bulls and Aaron Long #33 of New York Red Bulls celebrate with tame mates after the team won the Supports Shield during the New York Red Bulls Vs Orlando City MLS regular season game at Red Bull Arena on October 28, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Clayton for the New York Red Bulls)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY- October 28: Sean Davis #27 of New York Red Bulls, Alex Muyl #19 of New York Red Bulls and Aaron Long #33 of New York Red Bulls celebrate with tame mates after the team won the Supports Shield during the New York Red Bulls Vs Orlando City MLS regular season game at Red Bull Arena on October 28, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Clayton for the New York Red Bulls) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – APRIL 14: FC Dallas forward Maximiliano Urruti (37) in action during a match between FC Dallas and New England Revolution on April 14, 2018, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. FC Dallas defeated New England 1-0. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – APRIL 14: FC Dallas forward Maximiliano Urruti (37) in action during a match between FC Dallas and New England Revolution on April 14, 2018, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. FC Dallas defeated New England 1-0. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Montreal Impact — 46 pts

Stock Down

Key Additions: F M.Urruti, M O.Okwonkwo, F H.Novillo

Key Losses: M A.Silva, D R.Fanni, D C.Duvall, M J.Vargas

Montreal, first and foremost, are looking to get one more All-League season from Nacho Piatti. He is one of the most valuable players in the league. Without him, Montreal are trash.

The defense was solid last year, allowing just 53 goals, one less than the average in MLS. Despite losing Rod Fanni and Chris Duvall, they should be solid at the back again this year. Montreal are deep at center-back and full-backs Bacary Sagna and Daniel Lovitz return from last year. Evan Bush is a very good MLS keeper as well, coming off a career season.

The midfield remains the same as last season. Taider is the key, while Samuel Piette proved to be an above-average defensive midfielder. Michael Azira and Ken Krolicki will battle for the final midfield role, as they did last season.

Montreal added an MLS veteran striker. Max Urruti can be inconsistent, but he the best center-forward Montreal has had since Didier Drogba left. Montreal lost a productive starter in Alejandro Silva. So, he will be replaced by a combination of Harry Novillo and Orji Okwonkwo. Both of those players are pacey and will play more directly. That may be a good compliment to Piatti’s craftiness, and clinical finishing ability.

Montreal are as talented as they were last season. Unfortunately, every team that finished behind them in the Eastern Conference got better than they were last year, while they have just stayed even. As MLS continues to grow, we are going to find that teams will need to constantly evolve each season. Montreal did not do that this past offseason.

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