Football Season Guide

A season of change beckons for Montreal Impact who endured a mixed campaign last time around, failing to qualify to the playoffs for a third straight season but did bag some silverware after winning the Canadian Championship. Interim coach Wilmer Cabrera was let go at the end of the season and Montreal have brought in Thierry Henry as his permanent successor. The change is not limited on the touchline as Montreal have lost arguably their best player in recent seasons as Ignacio Piatti has gone back to San Lorenzo. Other significant departures include Ken Krolicki, Daniel Lovitz, Bacary Sagna and Victor Cabrera all of whom were regulars in the starting lineup. Montreal have opted for speed when bringing in new signing, completing a permanent transfer for Ballou Tabla from Barcelona while their biggest acquisition has been within the MLS after completing a trade for Romell Quioto who along with Bojan and Lappalainen is expected to spearhead the attack. Defense remains a weak point though with Montreal having the worst defensive record barring FC Cincinnati last season and will be heading into the campaign with relatively the same set of players and Henry will need to come up with a structure that limits the opponents. Despite big changes both on and off the field, Montreal will be kicking the new season off with the minimum expectation of making it to the playoffs and should be involved in the race come the end of the campaign.