Impact lost at Edmonton 1-0. Are academy players the answer?.

Montreal loses again with poor football. 1-0 was the final score in Edmonton today and could have been worst than that since Edmonton missed a penalty and hit the post, all in the first half.

NASL fields continues hurting the quality of soccer on 2nd division. I don't know what situation was worst, the one on Puerto Rico or today at Foote Field where ball bounce like a tennis court and soccer lines are blue in a American football green-white painted field, we could barely note the borders. This is the kind of situations can be discouraging for players on the road. Please don't think I am making excuses for tonight's result, but I really feel that need to be said.

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On the field the team was never close to play a decent level of football. What happened with the controlling team we used to see squaring all around David Testo like on Nutrlite cup? I know that style was not productive football either (in term of goals) but at least we were showing some character and temper on the field against a much bigger club like Vancouver.

Tonight's Impact was afraid to have the ball and could not handle FC Edmonton's pressure on the midfield. Also we where overwhelmed with Hamilton's job on Edmonton's back line (That is a guy could help Montreal in MLS) at the point Impact never attempted attacking back through the center and were forced to throw excessive amount of ineffective crosses.

Now a question to answer is what was coach's intention pulling out Testo and Di Lorenzo, such a key players for this team, and giving a chance to 2 rookies from the academy. I liked because academy players give a lot of energy and motivation, maybe that is what's needed on this team and it wasn't a coincidence watching the best Impact football in the last 15min when Wandrille Lefevre and Mircea Ilcu.

I did not like Lowery and Camara as central backs, of course is their first time together doing this and I want to see it as an emergency measure. They left so many holes in the back, they were unable to communicate at my opinion.

Next game is back at home but on a Wednesday night so, from previous experiences, don't expect much support since not even Radio Canada is broadcasting it. It seems we all wanted this season to be over but is not a mature thing to do so, remember we are not even at half season yet.

See you guys on Wednesday 7pm.

We want results, but appreciate the effort.

Before getting into details I just need to say it, we needed to win at home, especially on a sell out crowd in a beautiful sunny day like last Saturday.

Yes, we saw improvements. Great game for Camara who is showing those expected signs of leadership we all wanted to watch. Argentinean Di Lorenzo is being also consistent, he wants the ball and also is willing to create options, more than anybody else in the team. 
Additionally, we had the chance to see Anthony Le Gall feeling more confident and was the father of a highlight reel that could have been the NASL goal of the year if completed by Reda's header
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So, yes there were improvements but not results. I guess we are more confident now than before in seeing a Montreal Impact that could entertain and give results soon, its just a matter of two more home games. What I don't like is we are overlooking the fact that Dos Santos could not handle a road loosing streak. Was Hatchi really the cause?

Now Edmonton in a Sunday afternoon, the only team we have beaten so far so at least we look favorites on the numbers.

Impact: Leader wanted.

After this loss in Atlanta, my first concern is where and who is Montreal Impact's leader? I am almost sure Marc Dos Santos is not. Montreal needs one on the field or off the field before this lack of motivation starts an irreversible negative impact in the casual fan.

Last season it was, the very same club's president, Joey Saputo who triggered the positive reaction with a motivational speech which eventually produced an streak of good results and led us to USL semifinals. But we can't expect the president to be the leader in a soccer team.


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Canadian Derby NASL 2nd division - Montreal Impact vs FC Edmonton.

Montreal Impact (1 win - 2 ties - 4 lost) will try to end the win less streak this Saturday against FC Edmonton (5 wins - 1 tie - 2 lost) currently in 2nd place and with a record of 2 wins - 1 tie since last game between the two teams on May 1st. That day, home opener for FC Edmonton, Montreal attack exploded with 5 goals while winning the first game of the season by 0-5. Things are different now and the Impact will have to use the home advantage to offset the good momentum Edmonton brings to the belle province.


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