Impact optimistic for next season after extra-time playoff loss to TFC

MONTREAL – The chemistry that formed between Montreal Impact player of the year Ignacio Piatti and new striker Matteo Mancuso was one of the promising developments for the MLS club this season.

Now they’re anxious to see if they can keep it going for a full campaign in 2017.

The duo scored four goals each in five games during the Impact’s run to the Eastern Conference final, which ended with a thrilling overtime loss to Toronto FC on Wednesday night.

“He integrated quickly and he scored some goals,” Piatti said through an interpreter Friday at a season-ending media session for the players. “I felt good with him.

“We need to do the same next year and even more.”

Piatti, who had 17 regular-season goals, was handed the Giueppe Saputo Trophy as the team’s top player for a second year in a row while right back Hassoun Camara was named defensive player of the year.

Mancuso arrived in July from Bologna FC on a one-year loan, but the Italian is reportedly ready to ink a new deal that will make the move permanent.

And reports said another player from Bologna, Swiss international midfielder Blerim Dzemaili, will join the Impact next summer as a designated player. The 30-year-old plays mainly a defensive midfield game but can also join in the attack.

It may be part of a pipeline springing from Joey Saputo’s ownership of the Impact and Bologna. Other moves may also be in the offing for a team that went a middling 11-11-12 in the regular season but got hot with a 4-1 mark and 12 goals scored in the playoffs.

Striker Didier Drogba, who electrified the club when he joined in 2015, will move on even if he has not retired and may opt to play another season elsewhere.

Management also has decisions to make on Argentine midfielder Lucas Ontivero, who had a disappointing rookie campaign, and Costa Rican forward/midfielder Johan Venegas, who finally looked to be getting comfortable in MLS late in his second season.

Left back Ambroise Oyongo spoke enthusiastically about returning next season, although there is talk of an offer from a European club that may be too sweet to turn down.

And then there is 37-year-old Patrice Bernier, who wants to play another season. The Brossard, Que., native won back his midfield spot in the starting 11 late in the campaign and was a key player in the playoffs.

The surprise of the day came from backup goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, who hopes to reach an agreement that would see him drop to No. 3 status, allowing homegrown goalie Maxime Crepeau to become Evan Bush’s backup, while also taking on some form of assistant coaching role.

“He played an important role on and off the field,” said coach Mauro Biello. “He was in a competition (for a starting role) and he won.

“He earned his spot on the field.”

Most of the session was spent mulling over the team’s setback in Toronto.

The Impact thrilled a home crowd of 61,004 in the first leg last week at Olympic Stadium. Montreal had the aggregate goals advantage in the second half of the second leg only to see TFC equalize late and then put away the series with two extra-time goals.

Toronto’s first three goals came from corner kicks, an area that has plagued Montreal in the past. It had Biello perplexed.

“We gave up five (off corners) all year,” he said. “The worst in the league gave up nine and the best gave up three, so we were in the middle.

“We know it’s something we need to improve. We worked on it. We need to match up better against bigger players. We’re not a big team and the reality is, we’re at a disadvantage sometimes because of the matchups.”

He said better defending against big men like TFC’s Jozy Altidore will be a priority for next season.

A key moment in the match came in the second half when Altidore plowed shoulder-first into Hernan Bernardello, knocking the midfielder flat on his back. Bernardello stayed in the game despite what looked like a concussion.

Biello said it was a collarbone injury, although the Argentine said he didn’t remember much after the hit.

Overall, the second-year coach was happy with the Impact’s season, which started strong, hit a long mid-season lull before recovering for a fifth-place finish and third playoff berth in five MLS seasons.

“One thing I’m proud of was that we never crossed the red line, we were always in playoff position,” he said.

One player who hopes to sign a new deal is Dominic Oduro, who adds speed to the Impact’s attacking unit with Piatti and Mancosu.

“The three of us up front clicked,” said Oduro. “The ball is rolling right now. I want to be part of it.”