The last few weeks have been a busy time in the Montreal Impact front office. The Impact have recently made a number of moves to try and add some depth to the squad. With many disappointed in the lack of offseason player additions, management has been trying to rectify the situation. The poor start to the MLS season prompted President of the Montreal Impact Joey Saputo to promise that changes would be coming.
The first move came by way of a trade with Toronto FC on May 16. The Impact traded Collen Warner for 30 year old Canadian International midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran. Originally from Calgary, Nakajima-Farran has played in Japan, Singapore, Denmark, Australia, and Cyprus before joining Toronto just a few months ago. Interestingly, Farran played alongside current Impact captain Patrice Bernier in Denmark with FC Nordsjælland for one season. The Calgary native has already featured in two matches for Montreal, and acts as an offensive threat on the wing.
The Impact front-office made another move on June 2, bringing in Gambian International Mamadou “Futty” Danso from the Portland Timbers for a second round draft pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft. Of the three new signings the defender brings the most size as well as the most experience. The 31 year old has played in 60 matches for the Timbers since the 2011 season, and has started 9 matches for the Timbers so far this season.
Haiti provides Latest Impact Reinforcement
The most recent signing came last Friday, and one that will please the large Haitian community residing in Montreal. Mechack Jérôme is a young Haitian International right back and has featured in 12 MLS matches in the past two seasons with Sporting KC. Of the three new faces, Jérôme will probably see the least amount of playing time, however, he will provide some added depth, as the Impact will now be playing extra matches as part of the CONCACAF Champions League later this summer.
Although it will be a challenge for Montreal to claw back into a MLS playoff spot, the team has started to turn it around of late. The Impact recently played its best match of the season against the New England Revolution, as well as, winning the Canadian Championship against Toronto FC. These three additions will certainly help add depth and size to the Impact. With another DP on the verge of signing with Montreal (Ignacio Piatti) the team should be in good shape going into the Champions League.
The Montreal Impact will take on D.C. United (and former captain Davy Arnaud) on Wednesday at Stade Saputo and could feature both Danso and Nakajima-Farran. The Impact will look to build on solid defensive play of late, and keep up recent momentum.
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