by Matt Hoffman
Allez Impact!
The Montreal Impact return to MLS play following their improbable run in which they were a mere 45 minutes away from clinching the CONCACAF Champions League title. Reality caught up with Montreal and the league still does not have a CONCACAF title since the tournament went to its current stage.
In fact, the last team to make the championship game was Real Salt Lake in 2011. Their first opponent in their return to league play? The Portland Timbers.
Saturday’s game will the the Impacts first league game since April 11th. That helps to explain why, despite it being Week Ten of MLS play, the Impact have played a total of four games going 0-2-2 in the process.
Montreal harbors no illusions about their current status. In remarks to media this week centerback Laurent Ciman provided his own variation of the team’s common refrain:
“We have to wake up in the league because we’re not well.” The tournament is over. It’s done. We have to move on. We have to pick our heads back up for the [Amway Canadian Championship], and especially for the league.”
Perhaps the Timbers are the right opponents. In MLS play, the Timbers have not fared well against Montreal. The Impact won the first two meetings between the clubs, a 2-0 win in 2012 at Olympic Stadium, and a 2-1 triumph in 2013 in Portland. The Timbers won the lone meeting between the teams a year ago, but it was hardly a defensive showing to be proud of as the team won with a 3-2 scoreline at Stade Saputo.
The Timbers emphasis on defense continues to pay dividends as the team held Vancouver scoreless at home last week.
The offense continues to be stuck. The return of Diego Valeri from injury was a definite boost. As he continues to find his form, the Timbers will need to hope its ancillary players can create chances for the team. Ishmael Yartey continues to make his mark on the squad to give technical skills to be complemented with the speed that Dairon Asprilla brings to the right wing.
Midfielder Will Johnson is closer to coming back as well which will add some cohesion and bite to the midfield.
Not getting wins, with each passing week, the Timbers are further sliding down the table. At this point, a point on the road will not be much to smile about.
