We are at the midway point of the 2018-19 MLS season. We’ve seen some good and some bad from the Montreal Impact. In this article, I’ll answer some reader questions on a variety of different topics surrounding the Impact.

Hugues Dumontier asks:

‘Would Taider and Silva benefit playing a possession system instead of a direct/counter attack system’?

That’s a good question, Saphir Taider is a technical midfielder and he can exercise that skill to his advantage to play a possession game. He’s a tireless worker and jostles for every possession so that would be compatible with a counter-attacking system as well as a possession style of play.

He instills a great amount of versatility into the starting 11 due to the fact that he could perform in both systems.

As for Silva, the Uruguayan is an attacking player who likes to play the ball at his feet. When he’s in-form, his speed and his expertise in passing helps the Impact create dangerous scoring opportunities in the final third. Playing a high-possession game could plausibly benefit Alejandro Silva given that he can utilise his attacking traits to create more scoring chances.

@JadG08 asks:

‘What’s more important for IMFC in the upcoming transfer window? A #10, a #9 or a right-back’?

The right-back is by far the weakest position. Although he succumbed to an injury, Jukka Raitala was going to be the starting right-back vs. Orlando City. Mind you, his natural position is a left-back. As well as that, Michael Petrasso is not a viable option at that position. Chris Duvall is the only feasible choice.

The Montreal Impact would benefit from some poise on the flank. Remi Garde did not have the chance to bring in reinforcements to fix that position. The Impact would benefit from a right-back that excels at dribbling, crossing the ball, and utilising his pace on the counter attack.

@MLSenFolie asks:

‘A part from Piatti, who do you see as the most bankable player in the squad to trade’?

A player who would carry the most trade value would be Victor Cabrera, Jeisson Vargas, and Raheem Edwards. All 3 players are quite young and with the exception of Cabrera, Vargas and Edwards have yet to hit their respective primes.

Jeisson Vargas and Raheem Edwards have the potential to be key players for the Impact down the road. Remi Garde wouldn’t consider trading the youngsters considering that he acquired the duo this past summer, but, in terms of value by trade, both players carry considerable trade value.

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