Room for Optimism:
The 2014 MLS season was not kind to the Impact. However, one area of the field that appears to be the most promising for the 2015 season is the Montreal midfield. With the addition of Ignacio Piatti late last season and the rise of Andres Romero there is reason for optimism. Earlier this week the Impact added a defensive midfielder to the mix with the signing of Italian Marco Donadel. The Impact front office is optimistic Donadel can be an important piece to the midfield puzzle. During the annual members assembly Frank Klopas commented that the midfielder was one area that they wanted to improve specifically. With the addition of a more defensive midfielder in Donadel, Montreal will now be on the hunt for a “box to box” midfielder to help Piatti out.
This week we will review the midfielders from 2014 before turning to the forwards next week.
Player Ratings:
Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé: Has the ability to become a very solid defensive midfielder in the future. A physical and hard working player with a lot of upside. Has been an important player for the Canadian U-20 player of late. 6/10
Gorka Larrea: Another good bench and depth signing made by the Impact. Larrea was solid when he was called upon during the season. Recently, the Impact decided not to renew his contract, and he will be looking for a new team in 2015. 6.5/10
Ignacio Piatti: Nacho is a true game changer. If he is able to overcome his knee injury and stay healthy next season it will make a big difference and take a lot of the pressure on whoever takes Marco Di Vaio’s place. Looks like he could be a real star in the MLS in 2015. 8.5/10
Issey Nakajima-Farran: One of the hardest working players on the Impact, however like many of other new arrivals he was not given much of a shot to prove himself. 6.5/10
Maxim Tissot: One of the best young upcoming players in the system. Made his impact felt when he was subbed on late in games throughout the second half of the season. 6.5/10
Dilly Duka: Perhaps one of the best trades the Impact made this season. Duka was acquired from Chicago during the season for Sana Nyassi. Duka is a young player with a good soccer IQ and a physical element to his game. 7.5/10
Calum Mallace: It looks like the loan to the NASL during 2013 did Mallace a lot of good. More confident player than we have seen in the past. Potential starter if he continues to develop. 7/10
Justin Mapp: The engine of the team during the first half of the season. What a difference a couple years makes. Late in 2013 it seemed as though the American was done in Montreal. In fact, Mapp even made it into the late discussion for US National team duty just before the World Cup. 7.5/10
Patrice Bernier: Still the captain of the Montreal Impact and a necessary. Bernier struggled to hit it off with Klopas at the start of the year (a sign of bad things to come) and had some injuries. Contract negotiations are ongoing to bring Patrice back for 2015. Still has a lot to offer. 6.5/10
Andrés Romero: After almost being run out of town last summer, Romero transformed into a very solid winger. Has good speed and one of the few good players the Impact have that can play around the box. He was awarded the Giuseppe Saputo award for the player of the year in October. 8/10
Felipe: In fairness, Felipe has not turned out to be talent people thought he would be 2 years ago. He can be effective coming off the bench but struggles playing a full 90 minutes. As a starting midfielder he does not seem to be physical enough for the MLS. There is a chance he may not be protected by the Impact going into the MLS expansion draft. 6.5/10
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