Montreal Impact: 2016 in pictures

A vaincre sans peril, on triomphe sans gloire. 

To win without risk is a triumph without glory. If there is one sentence that can sum up Montreal Impact’s 2016 campaign it would be this one from the poet Pierre Corneille. After narrowly losing out to the Columbus Crew in the 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, management risked everything by making very few adjustments to their lineup. Even Didier Drogba, whose interest in the club at times seemed to be tepid at best, returned although his 2015 form did not (10 goals in 2016). A spat with coach Mauro Biello at the end of the season could have tipped over the Impact’s chances towards greater glory.

But despite the issues with Drogba, Montreal had perhaps one of the best campaigns ever for a Canadian side in MLS. With forward Ignacio Piatti (17 goals) on the attack and Laurent Ciman and Ambroise Oyongo holding things down on defense the Impact were one of the more difficult sides to break down in 2016. Although their regular season record was not by any means exceptional (11-11-12, sixth place in the Eastern Conference) their play in the MLS Cup Playoffs was. The Impact demolished D.C. United in the opening round and then proceeded to upset the New York Red Bulls, who had finished the regular season in first in the Eastern Conference. Although Toronto FC would get the best of them across two legs in the Eastern Conference finals their thrilling 3-2 win in front of 60,004 supporters at Olympic Stadium almost mollifies the eventual series result. They risked everything in the second and although they lost, they seemed to gain more respect because of how they played.

So what will 2017 bring for the Impact? No one knows. But in the meantime let’s enjoy some of our best photos of the side from 2016. Photos are courtesy of Ziro Castellanos (FC Dallas), Diego Diaz (Portland Timbers), Don MacGregor (Chicago Fire), Hazel and John May (Vancouver Whitecaps), Francine Scott (Seattle Sounders), and Isadora Vasconcleos (D.C. United).