Posted by

Aaron Nielsen ,

November 4, 2014 Email

Aaron Nielsen



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@ENBSports

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The Montreal Impact had a difficult 2014 season, however, as they look towards 2015 they might have the most exciting opportunity over all other MLS clubs, along with DC United. In the league, Montreal finished in last place with 28 points, although after winning the Canadian Championship they advanced to the knockout stage of CONCACAF Champions League. It was a group stage with many upsets and they now have a very good chance in winning the CCL and advancing to the World Cup Championship where they could play the UEFA Champions League or Copa Libertadores winners. Montreal do have a tough group of eight match against Pachuca from Liga MX, and like the Mexican teams which I wrote about throughout 2014, I would like Montreal to make the tournament a priority including taking it into account when trying to attract new players this off-season. Going into the 2014 season a lack of recruiting, via players they signed and the draft, made Montreal a heavy underdog. It’s not surprising that the team missed out on the playoffs, however, how poor they were raises questions regarding the backbone of the Impact from the past few years. The age of players such as Marco Di Vaio, Matteo Ferrari, Justin Mapp and even Patrice Bernier were not protected both from difficulty on the pitch and coaching decisions to play younger players. Di Vaio, at 37, still showed some class scoring nine goals, but what is probably more telling of his importance to the club is Montreal was 0-7-2 in MLS games he didn't play in. Di Vaio will be retiring and like the loss of Allessandro Nesta the season before, gives an example of how much trouble MLS teams can get in when players they heavily rely on leaves the club. To replace Di Vaio, the Impact first brought in Jack McInerney, who is a proven goal scorer in MLS, although a player who also has a reputation of the young American star and sometimes the hype is greater than the reality. McInerney did score eight goals and has 28 goals over the last three seasons, but there has always been concern if he can find the space or has the size to be a consistent double-digit goal scorer. Added, the fact that McInerney only had 14 shots on target in his 26 games with Montreal will bring some questions if they should keep him for next season, especially if his contract nears the DP range. Montreal also brought Ignacio Piatti, who plays more in a midfielder position but scored four goals in his first six MLS games and could be a true number 10, which is a title given to many players but many MLS players don't have the quality to become one. I was high on the Impact signing Piatti as he was on my radars for the Argentina Primera and he also was the key player in San Lorenzo’s Copa Libertadores 2014 win, which shows promise for Montreal’s CCL run as well as knock out competitions such as the playoffs. Rumor has it that Piatti signed a long term contract with the Impact and the club will look to build their team around him for the next few seasons. In terms of off season recruiting, most South American leagues end or have a break before the new MLS season starts. If I were Montreal I would make an emphasis on that market, even if you are only signing players for six months to a year, as they could match well with Piatti’s style of play and give the Impact the talent they need to be competitive in the games against Pachuca. Some players who I like are Federico Nieto at Barcelona and Daniel Angulo at Independete Teran in Ecuador, Roberto Ovelar with CA Junior in Colombia or Luis Alberto Perea who once played in the MLS with FC Dallas in 2012 and has had a successful season with Universidad San Martin in Peru. I'm in the process of updating all 2014 statistics for each South American country, which would add to this type of prospect list and it is proactive recruiting like this that will help a club like Montreal not just in the CCL, but also the MLS. I also feel Montreal should be active in the transfer market searching the lower leagues in France, and because of the Joey Saputo connection Italy’s lower divisions as well. I do statistics for these leagues each season and I'm amazed how many quality players are ignored not only by MLS but major European leagues as well. A great example of this is Diafra Sakho, who was on my prospect list for a number of seasons with FC Metz in Ligue 2 and National League of France, and now is one of the top goal scorers in the English Premier League. Montreal should take advantage of their ability in providing extra comfort from language and culture. Again, I'm aware of a number players that fit this mold, such as Andrea Caracciolo at Brescia, Matteo Mancosu at Trapani or Andrey Galabinov at Livorno. All would provide greater upside at a competitive price than trying to find leftovers from an American pool of players. This will mean a significant turnover and it might be time to say goodbye to some players. I feel Ferrari, Mapp and Bernier can provide some effective play, but my issue with them is their expected salaries for next season. We now know that Ferrari has been let go and that will provide Montreal some space under the cap. I also feel Felipe has reached his maximum potential and wouldn't be comfortable paying him more than $200,000 against the cap. In the case of all four, I would probably try to get them to resign with the club for a lower salary. This leaves the question of the MLS veterans coach Frank Klopas brought in, such as Heath Pearce, Dilly Duka as well as foreign signings Kryzstof Krol, Gorka Larrea and Gege Soriola, who in my view are all disposable and I feel just make up the numbers. Montreal did have a few bright spots in terms of players already connected to the club. Hassoun Camara is a quality defender, while Eric Miller is under a GA contract and provides the team value, even though I still feel his better role is holding midfield. Andreas Romero was a huge benefit in not only playing minutes but also scored 6 goals and got 20 of his 31 shots on target. Considering that he is only making $60,000, I expect a raise, but if he is able to remain with the club for $100,000 it would be great business. Mamadou Danso has proven that he can provide depth for any MLS club for reasonable expense, unfortunately the Impact appear to have seen enough and he was released along with Ferrari. Troy Perkins is a good keeper, although not worth his expense on the cap and the Impact could give Bush the starting role, who played 13 MLS games and played very well in the Canadian Championship and CCL. This will provide the club extra cap space with Maxime Crépeau and potentially a drafted keeper as his backup. Perhaps the most important question regarding the Impact in 2015 and the near future is how good are the local products, as the Impact have put a large effort in developing regional talent, including the addition of a USL Pro club next season. The inexperience of these youngsters did hurt the Impact in 2014 and players such as Wandrille Lefevre, Karl Ouimette, Maxim Tissot had their struggles, although the question still to be asked is this because of youth or overall ability? Montreal had a very successful Academy league showing last season and players such as Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Nazim Belguendouz, Frederic Lajoie-Gravelle, Charles Joly, Fabio Morelli, Mastanabal Kacher and Marco Dominguez should get MLS opportunities in the near future. Montreal also needs help in basic MLS team development, such as managing the cap and most importantly the SuperDraft. The draft is not only important in terms of providing team depth at a low cost, but also can provide the team trading and negotiation value, which is vital for a club where most local players will have no value to other clubs in the league. I think having a coach like Frank Klopas helps with this and the fact he did bring the club to the CCL final 8 means I wouldn't fire him, but my fear is if the Impact rely on an MLS old boys network in developing the club for the future they could follow the same failed footsteps that Toronto FC has endured. Montreal were successful in 2013 because they took risks. It appears that other than the signing of Piatti that Joey Saputo took the year off in 2014. However, I respect the direction for development and I think it could have a major influence on the Canadian National team in the future. I also see, unlike some other clubs, a long term plan by the Impact in establishing real roots in the community and I would rather support a team who goes in this direction then a club who follows the overused MLS franchise manual. I also see 2015 as a season of opportunity and a CCL victory and an invite to the Club Championship a monumental accomplishment. Joey Saputo continues to show an interest in European football with a part ownership of Bologna in Italy Serie A. From this background, what I suggest with the proper soccer people both in club development, but also scouting, he could bring a true European style soccer club to MLS.