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.

Team presentation at Olympic Stadium before the home opener

Tonight we had the chance to watch players presentation in a open house to the fans before the public training. We also had the chance to meet Montreal Olympic Stadium in "MLS mode" before the home opener. It's always impressive to be in such a historic infrastructure all dressed up prepared to receive more than 50,000 fans against Chicago on Saturday.

Training. Olympic Stadium

And of course, the training. I take trainings very seriously since it always reflects the way you see the game, and therefore I looked at this one with very critic eyes specially the 11 vs 11 and the attacking drills.

Nyassi and Wenger in attacking drills

It's always discouraging when substitutes play better than starters and that happened most of the game tonight. I didn't see much of a difference compared in performance with game against Vancouver. Justin Mapp not very bright with the ball, Nyassi erratic and Justin Braun's lack of finish in front of the net.

I liked Arnaud, always sharp and attentive, also Andrew Wenger who had the best flashes of football in the training. We had a chance to see most recent signing Bernardo Corradi. The Italian played with lots of motivation, showed good attack instinct on the box. The details of his international transfer rights remain unknown to me.

Bernardo Corradi

We also saw the injured players sidelined where Camara, Rivas, Ubiparipovic, Montaño, Garcia and also Sebrango only jogged a little.

So, are we prepared to stop the fastest forward in MLS, Dominic Oduro? Can we cancel Marco Pappa's creativity in the midfield? Being these the two stars to watch out closely I also predict Arnaud and Wenger will be involved in the first Montreal Impact's goal in MLS. 


Enjoy an interview, courtesy of impactmontreal.com with Corradi and his current impressions of the training and his availability.

Is Montreal now ready for the first ever MLS kick?

Well, we all know you cannot be 100% ready for anything but Montreal Impact seems now comfortable with most of the aspects of the game except the for the forwards part. Not bad at all for an expansion team.

I know my comments on the first match in Orlando against Vancouver and then against Sporting KC were mainly negative, but on Wednesday night's match we saw an improved team. With a few changes on the lineup when comparing it with first match, Montreal managed to have the ball, find and create spaces everything with a solid and confident defense.

Lets go  into more detail.

The back line looked very comfortable with the ball and also synchronized the 90minutes except for few aerial balls. Matteo Ferrari have a good vision of the game from the back and  Tyson Wahl  showed fresh legs and quickness in two key occasions inside the box.  Brovsky and Gardner covered the flanks with responsibility and, I imagine are Marsch instructions, didn't risk too much on the attack.

Courtesy of impactmontreal.com

The midfield looked great, and more on detail Patrice Bernier is definitely is a great pacemaker for the team because he can have the ball  and protect it while the best option arrives, that is a tough and risky job to do. I barely saw him causing turnovers last night and personally like very much his style. He also has a good couple on Felipe Martins who is very skillful but sometimes I think he is too young to pull the team’s strings. Marsch, very much as Arsene Wenger’s style, is confident on keeping the 21 year old Italian-Brazilian on the field because he can be an all around player.  

The flanks were very good too, with Arnaud and Ubiparipovic both offering diagonal options on the attack they were very dynamic creating a handful of chances that Braun and Fuscito didn’t capitalized. Arnaud’s game last night was remarkable also on the defensive side, fighting every ball and covering Brovsky’s attacks. The Texan has surprisingly quick legs that not even the young quebecois defenseman Andre Hainault could stopped him that night. I am very happy watching a player like Arnaud on Montreal and I most say I did not expected such a mobility in a veteran like him.

On the attack side is a different story. Unfortunately besides hassling the other team's defensemen they haven't offered a good work on the field. Justin Braun and Mike Fuscito need to hesitate less and risk more. With the substitutions, Montano and Neagle did not make the difference either. Hoping experienced Italian Bernardo Corradi brings a spark to prepare the youngters rise their level for the first kick. 

Three key players, Nyassi, Valentin and Mapp were not in Orlando. The good side is other players stepped up and showed they can be starters too. The bad side is good teamwork is already in place without them, the team made a good progress in Florida this past week and now they need to fit on the system again. 

Montreal have now a handful of options in many positions with versatile players and do not be surprised if the Impact shows a different starter eleven in at least the first 6 games until the ideal system is being played.