Football Season Guide

A new look Montreal Impact side will hope that a serious overhaul of their roster both on and off the pitch will help them bounce back from one of their worst campaigns in recent seasons and provide a far more tougher challenge for a place in the playoffs. Having come within minutes of booking a place in the MLS Cup in 2016, Montreal endured a dismal campaign last season and a return of 39 points represents their second worst campaign as an MLS franchise. Mauro Biello paid the ultimate price with the club confirming his departure on the final day of the season with Remi Garde appointed as his replacement Poor defensive record was Montreal's undoing last season with the club conceding 58 goals and Garde has tried to address the issue by bringing in three new players who will be starting the season as first choice with Jukka Raitala, Zakaria Diallo and Michael Petrasso expected to replace Ambroise Oyongo, Hassoun Camara and Laurent Ciman. The biggest loss during the off-season though will be that of Blerim Dzemaili who returned back to Bologna after his loan deal expired. The midfielder had struck a good understanding with Ignacio Piatti playing just behind the striker and Garde will hope that the arrival of Jeisson Vargas will more than compensate his loss while Saphir Taider will provide greater depth in the central midfield position. Raheem Edwards' arrival will boost the creative aspect from the midfield but it is up front where Montreal once again look to be a bit light. Matteo Mancosu continues to be the first choice striker but has only Anthony Jackson-Hamel and Michael Salazar as backups. The former will be missing a chunk of the opening weeks of the campaign and the duo are yet to convince that they can pick up any slack in case of injury or loss of form for Mancosu.