Montreal Impact
The biggest story of Montreal’s offseason was the hiring of Thierry Henry as head coach after a third straight playoff-less season. But it also came with some question marks, given the former New York Red Bulls striker struggled at Monaco during his managerial debut. Any concerns have been assuaged so far, with Henry pushing Montreal into the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals and beginning the MLS campaign with a bang.
Weeks 1 & 2: Fueled by their CCL success, Montreal had a 1W-0L-1D record in MLS play before the season was suspended. It started with a 2-1 win over New England at the Stade Olympique that included a splendid Maximiliano Urruti chip over Matt Turner to snag three points. Urruti stayed red-hot with a brace during a 2-2 draw at Dallas in Week 2, though Montreal were left disappointed after surrendering a two-goal lead.
Early MVP: If you picked Urruti as your early-season MVP for the Impact, please stand up. Odds are that few anticipated that the Argentine striker would have three goals through two games — he had four all of last season — but he raced out to lead the Impact’s attack.
Projected XI: (3-4-2-1, left to right): Diop – Waterman, Binks, Fanni – Corrales, Wanyama, Piette, Brault-Guillard – Bojan, Taider – Urruti; Coach: Thierry Henry
Tournament Prospects: Montreal surprised plenty of neutrals during the season’s early goings, so the pause came at an inopportune time. Although that presents a challenge, the Impact could be an underdog side for a knockout-round run. Seeing Toronto FC in their Group C should provide some sparks, along with a rematch against the Revs.
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