Turning the Page on 2014:
With the 2015 MLS season just around the corner the Montreal Impact will be entering the new MLS campaign with a different looking team. A big part of this new look will be their defensive line which will be a much younger and athletic group. With the departure of Matteo Ferrari and Heath Pearce the Impact will be looking for new players to step up and show leadership at the back.
In 2014 the Impact’s defensive corps was consistently a weak point week in and week out. The Impact conceded 58 goals and had a -20 goal differential. This number was not the worst in the MLS, however combined with poor scoring production it dragged Montreal to the basement of the MLS.
Pressure on Young Montreal Impact Defence in 2015
Over the last few months Montreal have brought in Belgian International Laurent Ciman, as well as, Donny Toia, Bakary Soumare, Victor Cabrera, and (potentially) Ambroise Oyongo. These players will add a mixture of skill, physicality, and leadership to the backline of the Impact. Another thing worth noting is the size of the new group. Montreal have gotten bigger and stronger at the back which will no doubt help on set pieces, especially corner kicks. This is an attractive bonus for a team that did not score from a set piece throughout the entire 2014 MLS season.
Laurent Ciman Key to the Defence:
With the acquisition of Laurent Ciman in January the Impact have brought it potentially one of the best defenders that will play in the MLS in 2015. The Belgian international played in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and immediately brings a strong technical ability to the side. Montreal were able to bring in Ciman on a three year contract, without burning one of their DP roster spots, which could prove to be valuable in the summer months. Laurent Ciman will be able to help distribute the ball out of the back better than anyone the team had last season, and will help keeper Evan Bush organize the back line.
Waiting on Oyongo:
The chaos that has become the Ambroise Oyongo saga continues to drag on and the Impact have suspended the Cameroonian International without pay. If Oyongo ever ends up in the Bleu, Blanc, Noir, the Montreal backline only becomes that much stronger. The dream of having him lineup beside Ciman is an exciting prospect for Frank Klopas and the Impact. With no real news on the Oyongo front in the last couple of days, only time will tell if he ever suits up for Montreal.
Revamped Defence Key to the 2015 Season:
The bottom line for 2015 is that the Impact will live or die by their defence this season. The 2014 season was a nightmare for Montreal and a lot of these problems originated from the defence. The new faces that have been brought in will no doubt add depth, leadership and skill. Now it is just a question of whether the revamped back line can gel fast enough for their CONCACAF Champions League game against Club Pachuca next week in Mexico.
IMFC Defence Comings and Goings:
In: Donny Toia, Bakary Soumare, Victor Cabrera (Loan – River Plate, ARG), Laurent Ciman, Ambroise Oyongo
Out: Matteo Ferrari, Heath Pearce, Mamadou Danso, Gege Soriola, Karl Ouimette, Krzysztof Krol
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