Montreal Impact: Felipe On The Move? Injuries, Draft Picks

Tuesday, January 20 was a busy day for the Montreal Impact.

Let’s break down the news;

More from Montreal Impact

• Montreal Impact Dominate Real Salt Lake, Win 4-1
• Montreal Impact v. Real Salt Lake Preview: News And Notes
• Kenny Cooper Out, Ambroise Oyongo In For Montreal Impact
• Kenny Cooper Signed By Montreal Impact
• Should Frank Klopas Change The Montreal Impact Formation?

Felipe To The Red Bulls?

According to New York Red Bulls beat site Once A Metro, midfielder Felipe could be on his way out of Montreal. Destination: New York Red Bulls.

With the additions of Ignacio Piatti and Dilly Duka last season, the franchise leader in assists and appearances lost some significant playing time. Felipe has the quality to be a key player on pretty much any MLS team, but with only three attacking midfield positions available in Frank Klopas’ lineup, Felipe won’t be seeing the minutes he deserves.

It is rumoured that Ambroise Oyongo would be coming in return for the Brazilian. The Cameroon international, who plays left back, would have to battle with youngster Donny Toia and Krzysztof Krol of the starting spot.

New, Veteran Centre Back

At the beginning of the offseason, Klopas promised additions on defense and at striker. Striker is still a work in progress, but we may spy a new centre back on the horizon.

Lloyd Barker went as far to confirm Belgian international Laurent Ciman would join the Impact very soon.

I love this signing, as the 29-year-old is exactly what IMFC need. I can’t wait to see what the veteran of nine international matches, including one at the recent World Cup, can do in MLS!

Jackson-Hamel has surgery

Homegrown striker Anthony Jackson-Hamel will be out six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia. The club didn’t give any further details about the injury or the recovery time, apart from saying that the procedure was performed in Philadelphia.

The 21-year-old from Quebec City was signed to a Homegrown contract on August 1 of last year. He made it into four games, failing to get on the score sheet.

Next: Breaking Down 2015 Impact Schedule

Two Strikers Selected

Montreal selected forward Romario Williams with the 3rd overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft last week, and rounds three and four were held on Tuesday.

The Impact continued with their trend of picking strikers, as they selected Cameron Porter and Cameron Iwasa.

Porter, out of Princeton University, was tied for the national goal league last season, while Iwasa who played at the college level for University of California, Irvine, had six goals in 25 games.

I’m not sure what to think of these two youngsters, as in their three previous entry drafts, the Impact have never signed their third or fourth round selections.

Regardless, from a Montreal perspective, you can never have too many young forwards at this point.