Where did things go wrong?

It has been a miserable start to this MLS campaign. After the plethora of acquisitions by Remi Garde, there was a lot of optimism heading into this highly anticipated season. Unfortunately, the majority of Remi Garde’s signings have not fulfilled their potential within the Impact during the baby stages of the season. In part, the Impact stumbled out of the gate with a horrid 3-0-9 record.

Many things have gone south for Remi Garde’s side on the offensive and defensive spectrum.

The Montreal Impact are dearly missing the goals that Switzerland International, Blerim Dzemaili supplied through the latter stages of the season. Dzemaili’s elegant dribbling was the main reason why he was feared by his opponents. Alas, that element is no longer a part of this Incarnation of the Impact. Remi Garde made swift business by acquiring the Algerian native, Saphir Taider to alleviate the midfielder position, however, he has performed far below his caliber. Other acquisitions like Alejandro Silva have been unable to carry the task at hand.

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The calm presence of Patrice Bernier is another aspect that is lost in the Impact’s game. His defensive contributions as a midfielder were his bread and butter throughout his tenure with the Impact. Samuel Piette was brought into the fold to become Bernier’s successor. He’s shown promise but it’s clear that he still has work to do to solidify himself as a defensively capable midfielder.

It cannot be denied that Ambroise Oyongo’s poise on the flank is yet another component that has not been reinforced when the Cameroonian departed for a greater endeavor in Europe’s elite. Oyongo’s pace and dribbling at the flank was a main source for goals galore during his short stint with the Impact. Jukka Raitala and Chris Duvall have been unable to take the reign from Oyongo.

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As it start’s to pile up, there is an abundance of deficiencies in the present day roster.

On the back end, the constant tenacity of Laurent Ciman is now with Los Angeles FC. His departure sent a ripple effect throughout the roster and the fanbase. His presence was clearly missed from the get-go. Granted, Zakaria Diallo has yet to prove his worth and French native, Rod Fanni, put forth a string of admirable performances. However, when a player of Ciman’s skillset leaves the roster, It is extremely hard to replace.

Finally, where do all the goals come from? Nacho Piatti can’t do it all himself. Raheem Edwards and Jeisson Vargas shown spurts of excellence but have not yet been able to perform such feat on a consistent basis. The Impact yearns for an attacking threat that they once had in Marco Di Vaio and Didier Drogba. Fernando Torres has been linked to the Impact as he can be a short-term fix. Anthony Jackson-Hamel has the potential to be the next one to carry the torch down the road. However, the Impact does not have the personnel to provide the team with goals on a weekly basis.

There’s still time to right the ship to glory, but until then, the Impact is in steady decline.

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