Montreal Impact In 6th

As the business end of the season approaches, Montreal Impact are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference and sit right on the cusp of the postseason spots.

In recent times, the Impact have put together a good run of form and have lost just once in their previous five league games and are pushing hard to climb up the division.

Fotios Klopas’ side are looking strong and the addition of former Chelsea star Didier Drogba will only increase their chances of success.
The Impact have improved significantly this year and have already exceeded expectations by challenging for a place in the playoffs.
Last season, Montreal finished rock bottom of the Eastern Conference and were ranked as the 19th best side in the entire MLS – the second worst in the league.

Despite this, they have picked up silverware in each of the last two seasons.

We assess Drogba’s impact on Montreal’s chances of challenging for the MLS Cup this season, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses throughout the squad and, if you’d like to take a gamble on the Impact lifting the trophy, you can find odds on Montreal’ s chances on the bet365 website.

by  abdallahh

Defensively, the Impact remain suspect and tend to gift opportunities to opposing sides but have been fortunate enough to get away with mistakes this campaign.

While they have lost just eight matches all season, Montreal have conceded 30 goals in their 20 fixtures and have struggled to close out matches throughout the year.

If they are to succeed in the playoffs, the Impact must tighten up their defense as they come up against the best offenses in the MLS.
At set-pieces, however, Drogba’s aerial ability and physicality will be extremely useful and Montreal should be a lot more solid when defending corners and free-kicks.

Offensively, Montreal have been heavily reliant on Ignacio Piatti’s goals throughout the campaign.

The Argentinian has netted eight goals in 19 MLS fixtures this season, including two in their recent victory over New York City FC, and he remains their most influential player.

When Piatti players well, Montreal tend to pick up positive results. Drogba’s arrival should ensure that the Impact score more goals and his physicality will help to free up space for their other strikers.

As well as Drogba, Montreal are blessed with another former Premier League star. Nigel Reo-Coker could play a key role towards the end of the season.

The former West Ham man gained a wealth of knowledge from his time in the Premier League and will be able to offer advice to the younger members of the squad.

While he no longer influences matches as he did during his days at West Ham, he remains crucial to the Impact’s success and has still got plenty to give over the next few seasons.

If the Impact can maintain their current form, they stand a great chance of competing for the MLS Cup. They are creating chances and scoring goals but must keep things tight at the back if they are to beat the best teams in the league. With the added force of Drogba, Piatti’s goals, a tightened defense and a bit of luck, Montreal could be lifting the title at the end of the campaign.

by  Ben Sutherland