Pregame notes vs Portland Timbers.

Last week Montreal gave another step forward  and  is starting to feel more part the pack in MLS rather than an expansion team,

 It’s scary knowing we already played a quarter of our schedule and we are unable to to create quality attacks. It is time to focus on our weaknesses and find a way to be less vulnerable, because 1 win, 5 losses and 2 ties is not an exciting record specially when Montreal is struggling to attract new fans into this new project. 

That night in DC, before the end of the game, Jesse Marsch reminded all of us how different can the options be with Corradi or Braun on the field, especially being one of the most effective games for the Italian since he arrived when winning almost all air duels creating several opportunities for Nyassi who unfortunately spent most of the night offside, but that’s another discussion.  Bernardo, who obviously lacks Braun’s speed is very good positioning the body and winning headers which that night gave another dimension to Impact’s attack. Not that I like the abuse of long balls we played  in DC but at least we have Bernardo to start in those attacks. With Braun on the field, well unfortunately nothing happens. 

We need a guy that play behind the forwards and make that final pass we are all waiting. We have that guy and has the number 28 on his back. Sinisa Ubiparipovic has not the best defending qualities and I imagine that is why Felipe has been starting all games, because the Brazilian is an all around midfielder, the favorite profile for Jesse Marsch. But it is time to make a change in the approach of the game. The duo Felipe-Bernier or Felipe-Warner is what has established Montreal’s character in the league where everywhere I read or listen comments about our city the only good thing I hear is ‘’The Impact is not an easy team to play against’’.  That is a good reputation, I like it, but we are not a dangerous team when in possession of the ball. 

The approach I would take in the next games, or at least I would try it against Timbers today, is to use the double pivot Bernier-Warner knowing both midfielders have played very well in previous games and have Ubiparipovic with 2  wingers like Mapp and Arnaud or Neagle or Nyassy in the attack with only one forward building a 4-2-3-1. This way the Serbian won’t have much defensive chores and might concentrate to distribute the ball with to attackers.  because is there where Felipe has failed in the last 5 games. I don’t remember another good pass besides the one to Nyassi to complete the 1st ever MLS goal on Arnaud’s header. I also don’t think is fair either to relegate Ubiparipovic to the bench after showing his good touch against Toronto.

According to the latest trends on the trainings, I know this formation is not what is on Marsch’s mind but in my opinion is the best way to use our players. Because Justin Mapp and Sinisa Ubiparipovic, being two of our most skilled soccer players, don’t have the rhythm to defend the way the coach wants.

When looking the forwards options, with Justin Braun with a mild injury, Andrew Wegner absent and Fucito traded we might see Eddy Sebrango playing at least 10 min tomorrow.

Here a video after the training.