Mount Royal Soccer: All Posts by Sofiane Benzaza

Piatti's brace gives Impact a 4-1 win over the Timbers

2017-05-20T22:32:54-04:00

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Diego Chara's red card was the turning point of the game

Everyone was happy after a big and decisive 4-1 win for the Montreal Impact over the Portland Timbers. A Piatti brace and goals from Kyle Fisher and Ambroise Oyongo were too much for Diego Valeri's lone goal for the Timbers.

Everything clicked for Mauro Biello's team as Dzemaili was fouled in the box as Jair Marrufo did not hesitate to point to the spot. Piatti convers the penalty kick.

Kyle Fisher followed with a powerful precise header off a corner kick for a 2-0 lead. That lead would only last minutes as Valeri scores with his own header.

One man down after Chara was redcarded for elbowing Piatti, the Timbers felt good about themselves going into the half.

Piatti made sure to put the game away early in the second half with a gorgeous shot by the Argentinean maestro.

Oyongo adds the Impact's 4th goal after a nice pass from young prodigy Ballou.

3 observations

Midfield trio : The experience and quality of Donadel, Bernier and Dzemaili was quite formidable and reassuring for the rest of the season.
Piatti MVP : Give him the crown already.
Ballou is the real thing as the winger is just getting better and better every game. If he is not scoring, he is creating scoring chances for his team

LINEUPS

MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Chris Duvall (Hassoun Camara 84’), Laurent Ciman, Kyle Fisher, Ambroise Oyongo; M-Ballou Tabla, Marco Donadel (Hernan Bernardello 72’), Patrice Bernier, Blerim Dzemaili, Nacho Piatti (Daniel Lovitz 78’); F-Anthony Jackson-Hamel

Subs not used – GK-Maxime Crépeau; M-Adrian Arregui, David Choinière; F-Dominic Oduro

POR – GK-Jake Gleeson; D-Vytas Andriuskevicius, Liam Ridgewell, Roy Miller, Alvas Powell (Zarek Valentin 53’); M-Darlington Nagbe (Lawrence Olum 78’), Diego Valeri (Darren Mattocks 81’), Sebastian Blanco, David Guzmán, Diego Chara; F-Fanendo Adi

Subs not used – GK-Kendall McIntosh; D-Amobi Okugo; M-Dairon Asprilla, Jack Barmby

GOALS

MTL – Piatti (PK) 13’

MTL – Fisher (Dzemaili) 43’

POR – Valeri (Powell) 45’+1’

MTL – Piatti (Jackson-Hamel) 50’

MTL – Oyongo (Tabla) 77’

CAUTIONS

MTL – Ciman 22’

POR – Guzmán 27’

MTL – Donadel 51’

MTL – Tabla 66’

POR – Miller 71’

EJECTION

POR – Chara 18’

Meram's hat trick sinks Impact in 3-2 thriller

2017-05-13T20:40:26-04:00

Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Dzemaili plays full 90 minutes for his first start

After an epic 1-0 win over DC United on the road, the Impact was coming back home with a suitcase full of confidence and aspirations.

Cheered on by 17K+ fans at Stade Saputo, Montreal faved a familiar Eastern Conference foe in the Columbus Crew.

After a disastrous first half , as Meram scored 2 goals caused by both his genius and avoidable defensive mistakes, Montreal started a comeback to tie the game 2-2.

Goals from Ignacio Piatti and Anthony Jackson-Jamel seemed to be enough to get a tie or even more.

But in stoppage time, Meram leads a 3v2 counter attack to score his hat trick and send the Impact packing home with zero points.

Postgame Notes

Columbus : A team that is a true testament to its tactical and spiritual leader, Gregg Berhalter. With technical players in each line and strong cohesion thanks to tactical discipline, the Crew should become a true reference in how the beautiful game should be played in MLS.
Dzemaili : The swiss international had a timid start in the first half but was obviously showing his qualities throughout the 90 minutes. As time is needed to fully integrate him in a squad that is looking for its identity, his offensive instincts are apparent and will be key throughout the season.

One thing for sure, the swiss midfielder has already quadrupled the team's capacity in being more dangerous on direct free kicks and long range shots.

Piatti's absence a (temporary) blessing in disguise

2017-04-11T10:30:21-04:00

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Better to lose him earlier in the season than later

Ignacio Piatti is the best player on the Montreal Impact squad and arguably the best player that has ever worn the Bleu-Blanc-Noir kit (Drogba is an exception) throughout the history of the club.

His absence, due to a groin injury, has had an immediate negative effect on the club as it still stands winless in the 2017 MLS campaign.

But his absence has not been a total disaster.

The timid rise of Ballou

Initially, Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla was going to compete with Dominic Oduro for a starting position on the wing, more likely coming off the bench to replace the Ghanaian winger.

But Piatti’s injury has propelled the young winger to the starting XI, much earlier than expected.

His goal against the Chicago Fire was symbolic of his generous efforts throughout the game, while enjoying some horrible goalkeeping from Fire keeper Baba.

Still, his run and 1v1 skills got him to that important position to actually take the shot.

His game has continued to evolve against the LA Galaxy and was gaining more and more confidence. The first-half red card to Marco Donadel killed the Impact’s decent mojo against the Galaxy and Ballou's.

Overrated Piatti dependence

Still winless in MLS, one might think that I am losing my mind when I talk about an overrated Piatti dependence. Describing Nacho’s influence on the Impact’s game, as overrated, is mostly false I admit.

But the team has found other ways to find the necessary ressources and opportunities to compete at a decent level, especially with a midfield not naturally geared towards the offensive side of things.

A 2-2 tie against the Chicago Fire and the unjust 2-0 loss to an (tad) overrated LA Galaxy team (outside an obvious potent offensive mentality) showed that the team can temporarily survive.

Underrated Piatti dependence

Well yes. Piatti is the key to the Impact’s success and for the club to have any kind of (above average) success, he needs to have a MVP type of year, like in 2016.

Positioned as winger, Piatti is much more than that. His goal scoring abilities basically put him as a second striker (aka not a classical #9 or pivot striker depending on your preferences). His role for Biello’s vision has overshadowed the need for more offense, something that the club will need to address during the next transfer market window(s).

Piatti’s status against the new kids on the block, Atlanta United, is still unsure, He was slotted to be available to play against his compatriot Tata Martino, the ex-Argentina National Team and FC Barcelona coach.

Until then, it is a race against the clock for Nacho to recover on time to play the official home opener of the club at Stade Saputo. But most importantly, the Montreal Impact will need him to be healthy and sharp for the bulk of the season.

Impact vs San Jose Earthquakes : Road loss to start the season

2017-03-05T00:30:56-05:00

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Impact lose its first game ever in MLS against the San Jose Earthquakes

A goal from Godoy was enough for the San Jose Earthquakes to start its season with a home win. A lackluster performance at 11v11 was not overshadowed by playing one man down in the second half, after Hassoun Camara was shown a red card (2 yellow cards)

There was little difference between both halves. As the home team was able to press and control the rhythm of the game, Montreal never seemed to be able to find any kind of groove offensively.

It was not perfect defensively but the team tried to hold the fort as long as possible. The only goal of the game came from a sequence of mistakes that ended with an amazing finish by Anibal Odoy.

With little to show offensively, the Impact will be heading back home to prepare for its home opener , at the Olympic Stadium, against the defending champions, the Seattle Sounders.

Goals and Assists

17' Aníbal Godoy

Assisted By: Chris Wondolowski

Disciplinary

14' Chris Duvall

Reason: Unsporting Behavior

35' Fatai Alashe

Reason: Unsporting Behavior

45'+1'Hassoun Camara

Reason: Unsporting Behavior

66'Hassoun Camara

Reason: Unsporting Behavior

83'Matteo Mancosu

Reason: Unsporting Behavior

90'+2' Shea Salinas

Reason: Time wasting

Impact's 4-2 win over D.C. United gives hope for the season

2017-02-20T09:22:42-05:00

Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Drogba? Never heard of him

After losing its first pre-season game against the Chicago Fire, the Montreal Impact pick up the pace and gets a huge 4-2 win over D.C. United. It was the club's first preseason game during the 2017 Suncoast Invitational tournament.

Against Chicago, Mauro Biello fielded 2 different teams for each half, giving every player substantial minutes as the team is getting away from the intense physical fitness oriented preparation to actually playing meaningful games against other MLS clubs.

Outside Oyongo , who just came from AFCON celebrations in Cameroun, Biello fielded the potential starting XI that will kick-off the 2017 season against the San Jose Earthquakes in California.

Three take-aways

Piatti, Oduro and Mancosu are on fire already. The scoresheet should not be that important during a pre-season game but all 3 players seemed to be ready and eager to terrorise MLS defenders and goalkeepers. The chemistry between the 3 offensive players is delightful to witness.
The Young Guns are eager to have a meaningful impact during this season. Both Louis Beland-Goyette and Balou Jean-Yves Tabla have showed they have the talent and the will to become good alternatives for the coaching staff. Though the imminent arrival of Adrian Arregui might take a chunk out of Beland-Goyette's hope to accumulate tons of minutes.

On the other hand, Anthony Jackson-Hamel is also in good shape during the pre-season and the club needs him to be injury-free to be a good substitute for Mancosu.

Interesting depth for the Impact in many positions that is confirming the club's strategy to keep the core of the team intact while adding a few pieces.

LINE-UPS

MTL – G- Evan Bush; D- Daniel Lovitz* (Anthony Wallace*, 62’), Laurent Ciman (Wandrille Lefèvre, 62’), Víctor Cabrera (Kyle Fisher, 62’), Chris Duvall (Hassoun Camara, 62’); M-Ignacio Piatti (Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla, 62’), Patrice Bernier (Calum Mallace, 62’), Marco Donadel (Louis Béland-Goyette, 39’), Hernán Bernardello (Michael Salazar, 62’), Dominic Oduro (Andres Romero, 62’); F- Matteo Mancosu (Anthony Jackson-Hamel, 62’)

Unused substitutes: G- Maxime Crépeau; D- Aron Mkungilwa*; F- Nick DePuy

DCU – G- Travis Worra (Eric Klenojsky, 45’); D- Nick DeLeon (Jalen Robinson, 65’), Steve Birnbaum (Bobby Boswell, 65’), Taylor Kemp (Alhaji Kamara, 81’), Sean Franklin (Kofi Opare, 65’); M- Marcelo Sarvas (Rob Vincent, 58’), Lloyd Sam (Lamar Neagle, 65’), Jared Jeffrey (Ian Harkes, 65’), Luciano Acosta (Chris Dunkin, 65’), Patrick Nyarko (Sébastien Le Toux, 65’); F- Patrick Mullins (Jose Guillermo Ortiz, 58’)

Unused substitutes: None

* Player on trial

GOALS

MTL – Oduro 6’

DCU – Birnbaum 14’

MTL – Piatti 21’

MTL – Mancosu 53’

DCU – Cabrera (OG) 56’

MTL – Jackson-Hamel 90’

CAUTIONS

DCU – Kamara 90’

A CONCACAF Champions League Guide to MLS Teams

2017-02-13T12:11:01-05:00

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Why the Impact almost succeeded and why your club will probably fail

The 2015 CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) was a magical run that ended like a nightmare, as Mexican juggernaut Club America was crowned CCL champion in Montreal, lifting the trophy in an empty Olympic Stadium.

That magical run put the Montreal Impact on the North American map for a few weeks. To enjoy the same buzz, here are some ingredients to help other MLS teams go as far as possible in the Champions League, though keeping bragging rights in the 514 is preferable.

Your Focus must be the CCL

If for a moment, your club's ambitions is already focusing on game 3 and 4 out of 34, there are big chances that you will not make it out the quarter-finals. Unless you have a very deep squad and face a weak team in the elimination phase.

There is only Champions League quarter-final, semi-final and final. There are 34 MLS games in a season for each club.

Stay focused.

You need a Cameron Porter

Or a Cameron Porter moment.

A magical run needs some magic and a magician. Whether it's a substitution that should not yield much or a hail mary play that comes out of nowhere, the mystical needs to come into play.

Accept the refereeing

If you are used to MLS referees, you should not have any problems with the CONCACAF standards. Just get used to more jersey pulling that will not be called and more. If you take into account that playing a home is a huge advantage, make sure that it works for you and get your players ready for the psychological warfares.

In conclusion, you need to be mentally and physically ready to take a CCL campaign and sprinkle it with some magic..or luck.

CCL Quarter-Finals

New York Red Bulls vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (potential pre-season game ambience or best game ever)

FC Dallas vs. Arabe Unido

Deportivo Saprissa vs. CF Pachuca

Tigres UANL vs. Pumas UNAM

Bonne Chance

Report : Oyongo linked to Dijon in Ligue 1

2017-01-30T12:00:05-05:00

Photo by Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

Dijon FCO wants Oyongo to bolster its defensive squad

Ambroise Oyongo is linked to Ligue 1's Dijon FCO as the French club is willing to pay a transfer fee to acquire the Cameroon international and MLS left-back.

A report from KAN Football Club has established that an official offer has been sent from Ligue 1's Dijon to the Montreal Impact. Details are below =>

Offer of 700 000 $
20% going back to the Impact if Oyongo is sold by Dijon
Montreal is not willing to sell Ambroise Oyongo for under 2M $

[#Mercato ⚽ ] - Exclu @kanfootclub : Dijon a formulé une offre pour Oyongo ! #IMFC #MLS #… https://t.co/40TNuIjwOY pic.twitter.com/seo6Sf1ard
— KANFootballClub.com⚽ (@KanFootClub) January 30, 2017

It is not the first time that a Ligue 1 club has shown interest in Ambroise Oyongo, including Montpellier, Monaco, Lille and Guingamp.

Montreal Impact draft forward Nick DePuy

2017-01-13T21:39:01-05:00

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Impact drafted a highly touted forward but only time will tell

With its first round pick of the 2017 MLS Super Draft , the Montreal Impact select USBC's Nick DePuy, a forward. With the 19th pick, Montreal goes for offense with a tall striker (6ft5) that will definitely be used as a target man.

Some of Nick's best moments from the #MLSCombine https://t.co/ONERWcTIhf
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 13, 2017

DePuy comes into the draft as the fourth-highest scoring player in UCSB history, proving that he does have a knack for goal.

A few were skeptical when they heard that the DePuy played as a midfielder and a center back (Andrew Wenher 2.0) but made his name as a striker.

Via the USBC website, " he was converted to a forward midway through his sophomore season, as he went on to score 31 goals over the final two and a half years of his collegiate career. "

Impact linked to Motta and Kone

2016-12-31T12:59:32-05:00

Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

Thiago Motta and Panagiotis Kone linked to Montreal

Player shopping in MLS for the beginning of the season and the summer usually starts at about the same time. With a chance to lure in from Europe from free agents to potential summer transfers, the rumor mill is kicking hard around the Montreal Impact.

After the official announcement that Blerim Dzemaili will join the club around June-July 2017, the Serie A connection is still hot.

Current PSG central midfielder Thiago Motta and Udinese versatile midfielder Panagiotis Kone are linked to the Bleu-Blanc-Noir, courtesy of Tuttomercato.

Mercato : Panagiotis Kone d'Udinese à l'Impact de Montréal ? #IMFC #MLS → https://t.co/xRmc0xxQNA pic.twitter.com/318gl5lqPA
— KANFootballClub.com⚽ (@KanFootClub) December 30, 2016

Panagiotis Kone is a greek international with international experience as well as Serie A experience. Able to play different positions, his offensive upside might be interesting for Mauro Biello's setup.

Another Montreal Impact rumor, PSG midfielder Thiago Motta linked to #IMFC (and #TFCLive) @MLSTransfers → https://t.co/zjJ092ymfh pic.twitter.com/QFA7hsAlkE
— KANFootballClub.com⚽ (@KanFootClub) December 31, 2016

Whereas Thiago Motta 's profile is something else. Commanding a high salary (over 6M euros with PSG), the veteran midfielder might not seem to have the pace for MLS (also critisized for that in Ligue 1) but his technical abilities are top class.

With rumors sending Ignacio Piatti back to Argentina, 2 DP spots would be available knowing that Dzemaili is officially a Designated Player.

If there was a clog in the midfield in 2016, it was the veteran trio of Patrice Bernier (still unsigned), Hernan Bernardello and Marco Donadel that took over that sector, late in the season.

Even if rumours come in different shapes and forms, the profiles linked to Montreal are not totally out of the blue.

Boca Juniors interested in Piatti

2016-12-29T17:50:08-05:00

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Piatti’s departure might be imminent

After San Lorenzo, it’s time for another Argentinean club to get into the Ignacio Piatti sweepstakes. One of the 2 Argentinean giants, Boca Juniors is reportedly showing massive interest in the Montreal Impact’s 2016 MVP.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto , Boca Juniors’ manager, seems to want Piatti...badly. With Tevez officially gone to China, Boca Juniors is looking to get their hands on an experienced offensive played with Copa Libertadores experience.

The good news is that the Impact will be getting an opportunity to start a bidding war between San Lorenzo and Boca Juniors. The bad news is that the club will probably lose its best player since joining MLS in 2012 and the transfer fee will be divided between MLS and Montreal.

The winter transfer market is not usually very active but one thing for sure, Piatti's loss could be devastating for the Impact.

With Blerim Dzemaili's arrival confirmed for the summer, Adam Braz, Nick De Santis and Mauro Biello can focus on finding more offensive punch upfront.