When the 2011 NASL started back in April, it's fair to say that all Montreal Impact fans saw the team clinching the league championship and playoffs. Six months later (almost the same as my last entry on CSN, sorry!), the Impact are fighting for a playoff spot and also have to hope for a Minnesota slip-up in one of their remaining two games.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Meanwhile, FC Edmonton have made the playoffs by beating the Silverbacks two weeks ago, with two games to go. Sitting in 5th, they will play their last regular season game tomorrow at Saputo stadium and would probably enjoy playing a big role in the Impact’s elimination. Indeed, an Edmonton win combined with a Minnesota tie or win would end Montreal’s hopes of making the 2011 playoffs.
After a dismal start to the season, the Impact has somewhat improved, helped greatly by Eduardo Sebrango, who came out of retirement, as well as the arrival of creative midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic. In the last 7 games, Montreal has won 4 games and drawn 2, the only loss coming on the road at Fort Lauderdale. Ubiparipovic has provided the spark and creativity that was missing this season, and has shown some consistency, which was lacking at his previous club, the New York Red Bulls.
Last week’s 1-0 win against the Railhawks could have been greater if only the Impact’s forwards hadn’t been as wasteful in front of the opposition’s net. In the end, it only took one goal to beat the NASL champions, courtesy of a Luke Kreamalmayer cross/shot with the help of the linesman (and lack of goal-line technology).
Tomorrow night, Montreal will be facing a lesser opponent in Edmonton, who despite having had a tough mid-season, have surprised us all by making the playoffs in their first season. If the Impact can replicate last week’s performance and find the attacking flair that’s been lacking the two previous games, it’s fair to say that they will be able to get a positive result and stay within reach of the playoff spot.
They probably don’t really deserve to make the playoffs, but that’s a completely different story.
On this note, I want to take the time apologize to the writers and readers of CSN for my own atrocious performance this summer.