With the break winding down for the Montreal Impact, the team and staff had a chance to reflect on the 13 games played so far this season.
“Obviously there were good moments in the beginning and some results could have gone our way,” explained Klopas. “But in other games we thought the results were fare. One thing is for sure, we have to improve defensively. It’s going to be difficult giving up two goals or more per game to win. We know we can score goals, but we have to be better defensively as a group. When we defended well as a team, we got results.”
Despite a lack luster performance in its final game before kickoff in Brazil, the Impact had a stretch of solid performances, losing just once in five games played across all competitions, including clinching its second straight Amway Canadian Championship.
“At the same time we won the Canadian Cup, which was one of our goals from the beginning of the season,” added Klopas. “I give a lot of credit to the players and the organization for what they put in. It’s a great achievement. Now the priority for us is to try and get first in our group and move on.”
In addition to making it past the group stage in CONCACAF Champions League, Klopas and his coaching staff feel that the door is still open to make a run in the regular season.
“There are opportunities for us to make a push. There is still a lot to play for, and lots of games, so we just have to realize some of the problems we are facing and try to correct them. I think it’s about finding a good rhythm. This break will give us some time to get healthy, work on our defence and come back fresh with even more enthusiasm to make that push.”
