Will Justin Mapp & Dilly Duka Return to the Impact in 2016?

With the Montreal Impact now firmly settled into their off-season the focus now turns to who will stay and who will go. The two players that stick out on the potential departure list are American midfielders Justin Mapp and Dilly Duka. Both players have been solid contributors for the Impact during their time in Montreal. However with the opportunity for a change of scenery and a pay increase these two may seek out new challenges elsewhere.

Mapp:

Justin Mapp is one of the few players left from the Impact's inaugural 2012 MLS season. The Mississippi native was picked up by Montreal in the 2011 MLS expansion draft and over time became a fan favourite. His ability to join the attack from the midfield is one of his hallmarks and what makes him such an exciting player to watch. Mapp has racked up four goals for the Impact in MLS play and has also won the George Gross Memorial trophy as the MVP of the Canadian Championship in both 2013 and 2014.

Although the majority of supporters no doubt hope to see the return of Justin Mapp in 2016, things were different after the 2012 season. After his first season in Montreal, many were hoping that the midfielder would not be resigned after streaky play and his inability to link up with striker Marco Di Vaio. However over time Mapp became more comfortable at the club and found himself as a regular in the starting lineup. Although 2015 was a difficult one for Mapp, due to a number of injuries, he did hit a milestone as the youngest MLS player to hit the 300 games played.

Duka:

Dilly Duka came to Montreal under very different circumstances. The midfielder was acquired by the Impact halfway through the 2014 in a trade with the Chicago Fire in exchange for Sanna Nyassi. In what was a disastrous 2014 campaign, Duka proved to be one of the few bright spots for Montreal. If 2015 was the last for Duka in La Belle Province, he will have the distinction of scoring the first and last goals for Montreal over the course of the season. Duka scored the opening goal of 2015 in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals against Club Pachuca and the last goal during the second-leg of the MLS Eastern Conference semi-finals against the Crew. Dilly Duka always showed up for the important games over his time in Montreal, something that has endeared him to the Impact faithful.

If Mapp and Duka have played their last games for the Montreal Impact there will be a big gap for Adam Braz and Impact management to fill. Mapp and Duka are two players that have been committed to the Impact since day one and provided many memorable moments over the last number of seasons.