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Analyst, TSN Radio 690 Montreal

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Playing in a league where it has not ever been easier to clinch a playoff spot, the Impact are making difficult work of it whilst playing in a 10-team conference which contains two expansion clubs. The team did themselves absolutely no favours last time out when New York City FC carried out the football equivalent of daylight robbery at Saputo Stadium last Saturday evening.

Smash and grab tormentor-in-chief David Villa reminded everyone once more why his goals were a significant part of Spain winning two straight European titles and a World Cup.  

Possession might be 9/10ths of the law but as we all well know, it has absolutely no relevance to the outcome of a football match. Gilt edged opportunities spurned do though, something of which Frank Klopas very much alluded to when the head coach stated all that matters in the end is the score itself during his post-match media debriefing.

Wise words indeed, which will be even wiser if they are echoed just before the players leave the Stade Saputo locker room this Saturday evening for the visit of the Columbus Crew, who currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference.

Since beating the Crew the last time the two teams met on June 6th, (the victory may have signified a first road win under Klopas but instead of it galvanising the team to push themselves higher up the standings, with games in hand over other playoff contenders) the Impact of late has resembled that team which started the season only collecting two points from their first five matches.

In the five matches since collecting all three points in Columbus, the Impact have only collected four points of the 15 that were on offer - with two of those resounding defeats on the back of very poor individual and team performances. As troubling as the Impact's scoring difficulties have been all season long and are well recorded defensively of late, they are struggling just as much.

Over this most recent five-match span, the club has conceded 10 goals. Not even Barcelona can spot the opponent two goals a game advantage and expect to emerge victorious each time.  

A clear example of this loss of defensive shape and cohesion was perfectly illustrated in the 34th minute last Saturday evening. From the vantage point of sitting directly behind the goal the Impact were defending during the first half, I'm still attempting to wrap my head around why Ambroise Oyongo bestowed Villa the Freedom of Montreal for his opener.

A goal which most certainly came against the run of play, as someone much more football savvy than me said at the time, it was downright disrespectful to afford the leading Spanish goal getter of all time that much room and space. Villa's response wasn't to take offence instead it was to take complete advantage.

The Impact won't need reminding that if they lapse defensively again, even momentarily, the league's top goal scorer will be in place to take full advantage Saturday evening. Kai Kamara has astounded even the most jubilant of Crew supporters since returning to a club he left when traded to the Earthquakes ahead of the 2008 season.

With the return of an outstanding 12 goals in only 18 matches, the Impact had better not only pay close attention to the 30-year old striker from Sierra Leone. They have also got to pay particular attention to Ethan Findley, who just so happens to be the league's top assist getter - this for a club which has gone unbeaten since their home defeat in early June against the Impact.

With Piatti yet to rediscover the player he was through the 2014 season until a serious knee injury ended his season prematurely back on September 20 last year, he still remains the club's best threat in front of goal. The Argentine leads the club with five goals so far in 2015. With McInerney only returning at a rate of a goal in every three games he starts, clearly favoured over Oduro, it is clearly evident the team needs greater consistency from McInerney; that or pull the trigger on a trade.

Alternatively with Piatti the club's only designated player and patience likely wearing thin in the front office, an investment in higher calibre and talent would most certainly return dividends in the playoff run stakes. A proven goal scorer is the pre-requisite but if there is one thing that is also mandatory for the Impact is that this must be a player who wants to be in Montreal. Di Vaio set the bar high by delivering both on and off the pitch.

Speaking of higher calibre and Montreal, next week the Barclays Premier League champions arrive in town for what will be their training base as they open up their pre-season schedule when they visit the Red Bulls July 22. During the International Champions Cup, Chelsea will also face PSG and Barcelona but will call Montreal home for close to two weeks before returning to London straight after their match in DC against the European champions July 28.

One of the most startling differences between Major League Soccer, where roster spots are at a dear premium, and the likes of the BPL, José Mourinho had a remarkable 72 players in his squad last season. With over 30 players loaned out, many of those players will remain behind at their Cobham base. In John Terry, they have a perfect example in what it takes to reach the highest level. The 34-year old was the first to return to training this past Wednesday - a full week before the squad fly out to Montreal.

David Villa has proven at 33, age is not an impediment to scoring goals in MLS, only three other players have scored more in the league so far this season. One of those is his fellow 33-year old Kaká. Hard to believe Impact fan favourite Marco Di Vaio will celebrate a 39th birthday next week.

Apart from the pleasure of watching and observing Villa up close, the other thing I took away from Stade Saputo on the drive home last Saturday was the displeasure of watching so many people make for the exits the moment NYFC's inspiration slotted away his second in the 82nd minute.

It is not a cliché, a team feeds off the energy and atmosphere their supporters provide, adding to the occasion. Players and the coaching staff would have observed the very same thing I did. Just at the very moment the team needed vocal support and encouragement, fans started sneaking out.

You can't bottle it, not even Sheik Mansour can buy what supporters can and do supply for their club. It will not ever be empirically proven the role Impact supporters played at Olympic Stadium the night of Cameron Porter's added time marker on March 3. That Pachuca equalizer which immediately led to that now infamous Klopas red-carded hip shake going global. However based on last Saturday, some Impact fans certainly have very short memories.

Saturday in Montreal calls for another sweltering evening, it will be even hotter down on the Stade Saputo pitch, one which the Impact has already lost twice on this season. Three points are a must to get the Impact closer to the playoff conversation.  It will take a 90-minute effort from players and supporters alike.

Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca
@TheSoccerNoel on Twitter

Montreal Impact Vs Columbus Crew live on TSN 690 and TSN2 Saturday. Kick Off 8pm et/5pm pt.