TOUGH START FOR IMPACT
Team out of sync in loss to D. C. United
Much like the Impact’s first competitive match of the season against Pachuca in CONCACAF Champions League quarter- final action, the anticipation for the club’s 2015 opening match in Major League Soccer was just as high.
The mood on the squad was one of promise and hope as the quest to turn the page on a forgettable 2014 MLS season got underway at Washington’s RFK Stadium.
Saturday’s match was played on a cold and windy day on a field that was covered in snow just 48 hours earlier. It seemed like perfect conditions for a team from Canada, but it was not to be, and the Impact — after losing 1- 0 — will have to wait until a visit to New England on March 21 to set things right in its next MLS game.
Consolation news for Impact fans is that Montreal was not alone in its road woes. Of the 10 MLS games played last weekend, seven visiting teams failed to score and Vancouver was the only home team to lose.
Here are my pros and cons from the season- opening loss:
Pro ( goalkeeper and back four): Goalkeeper Evan Bush faced 13 shots, but collectively the back four did a respectable job and allowed only three on goal. Notably, Bush comfortably dealt with D. C.’ s multiple crosses from open play and from set pieces. On the back line, Hassoun Camara returned to his usual position at right back and played a solid game on both sides of the ball. And as the partnership between Bakary Soumaré and Laurent Ciman continues to develop at centre back, one thing that seems clear is that Soumaré will be responsible for cleanup duty. So far he’s done an excellent job at it. In particular, Soumaré and Ciman have been very effective dealing with crosses of all types. A far cry from 2014, when at times it seemed there was an open highway behind the Impact’s back line. As for Donny Toia, I know it’s only March, but the Impact might have signed a gem with this 22- year- old left back. Aside from a nervous opening 10 minutes against Pachuca during the first leg in Mexico, Toia has been nothing short of excellent since. Toia has not only done the business defensively, but has also contributed to the attack with deliveries from wide areas, plus a few shots of his own.
Con ( goalkeeper and back four): Ciman might end up being one of the most reliable central defenders in MLS over time, but he still has some ways to go while figuring out the league and the opposition. Against Pachuca, Ciman’s over- aggression in tackles resulted in two goals against, while in D. C. the Belgian was not only caught in possession in his defensive third, but was regularly caught out of the back line while straying in midfield. Bush, the last line of defence, made one mistake and it proved costly. Such is the nature of his job.
Pro ( midfield): The field conditions didn’t suit a dribbler like Justin Mapp, yet he still managed to register three shots and forced D. C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid into two fine saves. On the opposite wing, Dilly Duka’s contribution to the Impact’s effort came in the form of impressive defending, yet again. Duka was a standout defensively against Pachuca and in D. C. was consistently on hand to help Toia with winger Nick DeLeon, who was essentially a non- factor in the match. Impact fans got their first glimpse of Eric Alexander, and the former New York Red Bull didn’t disappoint in his 14- minute cameo. Honourable mention to Calum Mallace, who got the start as a reward for his effective substitute appear- ances against Pachuca.
Con ( midfield): The main talking point, of course, was the unfortunate injury to Mapp. The confusion surrounding Mapp’s diagnosis typified the kind of day it was for the Impact. After the match, coach Frank Klopas revealed Mapp had suffered a dislocated elbow, while the club announced it was a dislocated shoulder. It was indeed his elbow and the moral of the story is: On and off the field, the Impact was out of sync. The club announced on Monday that Mapp will undergo surgery on his dislocated and fractured elbow on Thursday and is expected to be out for about four months. Also out of sync Saturday was Ignacio Piatti, who subbed off in the 76th minute, which I believe was 31 minutes too late. Klopas showed a respectable level of confidence in his star man in attack, but the problem is that Piatti failed to deliver. Piatti will come good, as the saying goes, though everyone is hoping that is sooner rather than later. Same can be said for the central area of the Impact’s midfield.
Pro ( forward): Cameron Porter subbed on for Jack McInerney in the 71st minute, and only two minutes later the rookie snuck between two defenders and nearly steered in a cross from Camara. Porter brought muchneeded energy to the attack that for the most part was non- threatening.
Con ( forward): McInerney got the start but contributed very little throughout the 71 minutes he was on the field. By no means am I laying blame solely on McInerney for his ineffectiveness, but he certainly didn’t seem to be the answer up top for the Impact. It’s no coincidence he left the game without registering a shot at goal.
Pro: D. C’s scorer, Jairo Arrieta, happens to be a Costa Rican international. The Impact’s next opponent happens to be Costa Rican side Alajuelense in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal, with the first leg scheduled for next Wednesday at Olympic Stadium. How do you spell motivation?