Coming off the first Major League Soccer playoff appearance in team history, The Montreal Impact have a new head coach, a new captain and are looking to build on their success.
[b]Mike Pouncey Jersey[/b] . TSN soccer analyst Noel Butler tells you everything you need to know about the 2014 Impact, while TSN soccer analyst Jason deVos tells you how they will succeed or fail during the new campaign. Noel Butler: Even with little turnover to the playing squad the off-season was far from quiet down Saputo Stadium way. In mid-December the Impact finally announced it had not exercised Marco Schällibaums option and that ex-Fire head coach, Frank Klopas would take over. Klopas inherited a squad of 21 returning players and by the time camp opened in late January that numbered had been enlarged to 28. Those additions included defender Eric Miller, who was selected 5th in this years SuperDraft. Then came the news Nelson Rivas had signed a new contract - the Columbian missed the entire 2013 campaign. Just before the club departed for the Disney Classic two more recruits were added. Attacking midfielder Andrés Romero, a player who showed much promise in early 2013, returned on another season long loan. Plus the club announced the signing of 21-year old Uruguayan striker, Santiago González. Bonus to those off-season moves evolves round two signings from last July. Hernán Bernadello, the clubs second designated player, was limited to only eight MLS appearances last season. Disrupting and orchestrating as he goes, Bernadello will sit in front of a defense which looked far from sure of itself during the pre-season. The other is central defender Adrián López, who is yet to feature in a league match. A torn ACL, occurring during a collision in training, ended the 27-year old Spaniards season. A fully fit López will feel like a new signing for the club. The move to hire as an assistant coach a defensive specialist, in Nikolaos Kounenakis was further enhanced with the announcement Alessandro Nesta had been added to the backroom staff. Nesta has officially joined as a consultant, tasked to analyze video. Much has been made of the fact Marco Di Vaio will miss the opening three matches. It could have been far worse. For most of last summer it seemed one of the leagues best performers in 2013 would not return for 2014 at all. Di Vaio will not score as freely as he did in 2013. Someone then who must shoulder more responsibility and finally return the faith shown in him by the club, is Andrew Wenger. Appearing in 24 league matches in his second season as a professional it still remains a complete mystery how the first overall pick in 2012s SuperDraft only tallied a solitary goal over that span. The 23-year old must display a more ruthless streak in front of goal. Berniers appointment as captain is the greatest testament any MLS club could make. A local product who commands the respect of teammate and opponent alike, Bernier reflects the very best for an organization entering its 21st season as a professional soccer club. When appointed, Klopas stated his philosophy has always been to look at the long run. Even in a league where parity prevails, only the most optimistic of the Impact faithful can realistically expect an immediate return to the playoffs this season. In a conference which includes the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup winners, then factor in the wholesale changes and upgrades in Toronto, there can be no denying Klopas has his work cut out to build on 2013s achievements. TSN Soccer analyst Jason deVos weighs in on how the Impact will succeed or fail during the 2014 season. Jason deVos: Montreal Impact will succeed if… …they find a partner for Matteo Ferrari at the back, and get goals from anyone not named Di Vaio. With the retirement of Alessandro Nesta (who has moved into a consultancy role with the club), Montreal need to find a starting centre back to partner Ferrari. Every indication was that this player would be Nelson Rivas, but his horrendous injury history has continued this season, and he looks unlikely to be fit to start the season. Wandrille Lefèvre has looked capable in pre-season, and he will likely get the first opportunity. If that fails, expect right fullback Hassoun Camara to slide inside. Up front, Marco Di Vaio is suspended for the first three games, due to his red card in the 2013 MLS Cup playoff loss to the Houston Dynamo. He will continue to score goals for the Impact, but it is supplemental scoring that is a concern for new head coach, Frank Klopas. No other player came close to hitting double digits last season, and unless that is rectified in 2014, Di Vaio will come under immense pressure to continue finding the back of the net. Montreal Impact will fail if… …any of their key players go down with lengthy injuries or suffer a poor run of form. The likes of Ferrari, Di Vaio, Hernan Bernardello and new skipper, Patrice Bernier must remain fit and available if the Impact are to succeed this season. The Impact have problem areas in their team - their entire left flank being one of them - and they simply cannot afford to have the spine of their team go missing. If any of their key players struggles with injury or form, there are very few like-for-like options available. The one with the most pressure on his shoulders is last years leading scorer, Di Vaio, whose 20 goals were the reason that Montreal made the playoffs. If anyone can handle that pressure, though, it is the Italian. If only the Impact could find another like him. 2013 finish: 14-13-7 (fifth in Eastern Conference). Lost to Houston in Knockout Round. Whos In?: F Santiago Gonzalez (transfer from Sud America). Whos Out: M Davy Arnaud (traded to D.C. United), M Paolo DelPiccolo (option declined), D Alessandro Nesta (retired), M Maximiliano Rodriguez (option declined), M Sinisa Ubiparipovic (option declined), D Zarek Valentin (transfer to Bodo/Glimt). SuperDraft: D Eric Miller (1-5), MF George Maliki (2-37).
[b]Virgil Green Chargers Jersey[/b] . Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter also scored for the Americans, who avoided a repeat of Finlands upset at the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., in November. Finnish goalie Noora Raty made 58 saves in that one, but the three-time Olympian could stop just 40 of 43 U.
[b]Caleb Sturgis Jersey[/b] . The 22-year-old Kreider was injured Friday night in New Yorks win at Columbus, but played in the next two games -- including Monday nights win over Phoenix. But the left winger, who has 17 goals and 37 points this season, was limited to about 10 minutes of ice time in each of the previous games.COLUMBUS – Where Phil Kessel has gone the past two seasons so, too, has James van Riemsdyk. But its now with Joffrey Lupul sidelined indefinitely (with yet another unfortunate injury) that the Maple Leafs need their ever-improving 24-year-old to become a force without Kessel. In light of balance concerns, Randy Carlyle opted to split the duo even before the injury to Lupul – a broken right hand – but its now especially, with the 31-year-old likely out weeks, that van Riemsdyk has to emerge from the shadow of his fellow American winger and offer Toronto a consistent secondary threat. I dont control who I go out there and play with, said van Riemsdyk of the split from Kessel earlier this week. [But] if were a better team this way, then obviously thats great. The pair has been almost inseparable since van Riemsdyk joined the Leafs from Philly in the summer of 2012. In fact, more than 80 per cent of the nearly 2000 even-strength minutes van Riemsdyk has accumulated in Toronto have come with Kessel. Theyve been a mostly terrorizing offensive force, scorching together even beyond the NHL shores. Representing the U.S. at the Sochi Olympics, van Riemsdyk and Kessel finished 1-2 in scoring. The Leafs battled depth concerns even with Lupul in the lineup and they will no doubt need more pop from the likes of Nazem Kadri, David Clarkson and the rest of the depth they added this offseason. But van Riemsdyk is perhaps the only talent on the roster besides Kessel who may have the gifts to drive a line himself. Hes big. Hes fast. Hes powerful. And hes certainly talented enough to give the Leafs a real second threat beyond Kessel, someone to make the opposition think twice about. I know that James has played to a higher level and he can continue to grow as a hockey player, Carlyle said before a 4-1 win over the injury-depleted Blue Jackets on Friday. Hes done very, very well in the situations that weve put him in. Van Riemsdyk played the part of triggerman with Kessel – a scorer yes, but underrated playmaker, too – feasting on the openings and opportunities he creates. Usually when youre playing with Phil, hes going to have the puck a lot of the time, he said. Im more going to the net and trying to bang in rebounds, that sort of thing. He scored 19 goals at even-strength last year, adding 13 in 48 games the year prior. Many of those came off the rush and if theres a subtle shift in the style of whats now the Leafs second line – though they led the team in ice-time against Columbus – its that. With Clarkson taking the place of Kessel alongside van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak, the unit is likely to become more conservative in terms of the chances it takes in transition, increasing its emphasis instead on the cycle game. Previously just an intriguing experiment, the Leafs now need van Riemsdyk to emerge sans Kessel. Carlyle couldnt say Friday morning how long hed keep the pair apart, but given the injury to Lupul and need for balance, it seems likely to go on for at least the immediate future. Van Riemsdyk, who finished last season with a career-high of 30 goals and 61 points, has been quieter so far this fall. Unable to find the scoresheet Friday, hes tied for third in Leaf scoring, totaling six points in 10 games. Five Points 1. Lupuls Luck Joffrey Lupuls odd and unfortunate injury history as a Leaf added another chapter. At practice Thursday in Toronto, Lupul fell on his stick and jammed his right hand rather innocuously. Or so he thought. The 31-year-old finished the final 40 minutes or so of the session and came to the rink Friday night prepared to play against the Blue Jackets. But then the results of an x-ray taken in the Columbus area came back and revealed that a bone was indeed broken – Carlyle didnt learn hed be unavailable until 6:10pm. The severity isnt yet known. Lupul was admittedly in some shock after yet another fluky injury. I dont know what to say really, its part of the game, but it certainly is tougher mentally than it is physically I will say, he said, appearing noticeably upset. Kind of just…right now a little bit shocked. Hopefully its not something thats going to keep me out too long. Hes had a stretch of bad luck, theres no question about it, said Leafs general manager, Dave Nonis. Theres nothing he couldve done different. It was a freak accident. The list of injuries Lupul has suffered as a Leaf is wide and varied. The Injury Bug Date Injury Games Missed Mar. 2012 Dislocated Right Shoulder 16 Jan. 2013 Fractured Right Forearm 25 Apr. 2013 Concussion 5 Oct. 2013 Bone Bruise, Right Foot 2 Nov. 2013 Groin Tear 7 Apr. 2014 Knee Surgery 4 Oct. 2014 Broken Right Hand Indefinitely 2. 500 Daniel Winnik was asleep when he was drafted by the Phoenix Coyotes nearly 10 years ago. A centre for the University of New Hampshire, Winnik had to be shakenn awake by his parents, his agent calling that Sunday morning with the good news.
[b]Virgil Green Jersey[/b]. I was like oh great! What round? Fourth? Fifth? the now 29-year-old recalled of the conversation. Ninth, his agent responded. And I was like what? It was a bit of a shock that I went that late. Fast-forward to Friday night in Columbus and Winniks 500th career game in the NHL, quite a feat for a player picked 265th overall. I think I always thought I had the chance to do it, Winnik said of hitting 500 games, but obviously my position being drafted – ninth round – it probably looked pretty grim. He had quite the performance against the Blue Jackets on what was a momentous night. Replacing Lupul alongside Kadri and Kessel on the teams top line, Winnik potted his first goal as a Leaf and 50th overall – sneaking behind the Blue Jackets defence – also adding two assists. Earlier in the day, Winnik spoke to his versatility as the main reason hes made so far in the NHL, that trait on display again on this night. Hes been a welcome addition to our group so far, said Carlyle. 3. Kadris Luck The possession numbers were strong for Nazem Kadri heading into the Leafs final game of October, but the luck numbers, well, not so much – his PDO was the lowest among Toronto forwards. Paired with Kessel for the second straight night, that luck started to change against the Blue Jackets. Kadri posted his first assist of the season in the 4-1 win, adding his first goal in seven games in the final period on a tap-in from Kessel. As for luck, Kadri agrees, he wasnt getting much of it. I definitely did feel that, yeah, because normally some of those pucks are in the back in the net, he said. Its finally nice to find the back of the net and just get a road win. 4. Without Kessel II No player – with either the Bruins or Leafs – has spent more time on the ice (and perhaps off it) with Kessel than Bozak, the third wheel of whats now a second line featuring van Riemsdyk and Clarkson. Bozak has basically played with no one else but Kessel since he joined the Leafs from the University of Denver, a rotating cast of left wingers running shotgun with the duo over the years. You lose a pretty dynamic player obviously, Bozak said of Kessel. I think Davids a great player, too. He gets in there on the forecheck and creates a little space for us. So I guess my role changes a bit, Ill have the puck a little bit more when Im not playing with Phil whereas when I am with him, Im trying to get him the puck as quick as I can. Like van Riemsdyk, he too, noted the lines stylistic changes without Kessel. Me, James and Phil were more of a rush line and creating opportunities like that, said Bozak, but I think with me, James and Dave, well try and get some pucks deep and get in on a cycle. I think youre a little bit more apprehensive to make a change when you know theres been a long history with the two players, but its not about two players, its about our hockey club, Carlyle said. We have a team and youve got to make decisions that are in the best interest of the team. Bozaks numbers, historically, have dipped considerably in those rare instances when hes played without Kessel. And it will indeed be curious if he can maintain production – he entered Friday tied for the team-lead in scoring – without him. The Leafs, meanwhile, improved to 5-0-0 when Kessel records a point. The 27-year-old had three points Friday in just 12 minutes and 39 seconds – his lowest as a Leaf – now with 13 points in 10 games this season. 5. The Road Actually quite strong for the most part at home a year ago despite talk of nerves and the like recently, Toronto finished last season as one of the worst road teams in the Eastern Conference. They had a goal differential of minus-29 away from the ACC and their 14 victories topped only the lowly tandem of Florida and Buffalo. So far this season, its been just the opposite. The Leafs picked up just their second home win in six tries on Tuesday, winning for the third time in four trips on the road Friday in Columbus. Jonathan Bernier, who was impressive in victory, improved to 2-0-1 in such trips, boasting a .954 save percentage in three road starts. Stats Pack 6 – Games without a goal for Nazem Kadri, who broke that spell against the Blue Jackets. 9 – Games without an assist for Kadri, who registered his first of the season on Friday. .954 – Save percentage for Jonathan Bernier on the road in three starts this season. 50th – Career goal for Daniel Winnik in his 500th career game Friday. 12:39 – Ice-time for Phil Kessel against Columbus, his lowest as a Leaf. 5-0-0 – Leafs record this season when Kessel records a point. Special Teams Capsule PP: 1-2 Season: 18% PK: 3-4 Season: 84.2% Quote of the Night Probably Nazzies thanking him because he saves his butt too many times. -Randy Carlyle, speaking on Nazem Kadris admitted admiration for Daniel Winnik and his poised all-around play. Up Next The Leafs return home to face the Blackhawks on Saturday.
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