Montreal Impact SuperDraft Preview: Building out after a promising stretch run | Armchair Analyst

Matthew Doyle

Ahead of the 2015 SuperDraft, MLSsoccer.com is breaking down each team's needs and potential draft targets. After a promising stretch run, Montreal Impact fans have reason to be optimistic.

Jermaine Jones started seven regular-season games for the New England Revolution last year. They went 6-0-1 in those outings and, yes, it was the Montreal Impact who spoiled perfection with a 2-2 draw on October 11.

This is by way of saying that the Impact, when healthy and together, had some real talent to throw out onto the field in 2014. They'll bring much of it back in 2015 – and could be on the verge of signing a bit more – which means the team with the No. 3 pick is facing a tough decision: do they go with the best talent on the board, someone who could pay off down the road? Or do they aim to fill a need with someone who can contribute immediately?

Mock Draft: Pre-Combine Edition

There will be some of each available. Figuring out which way to go is crucial for a franchise that, quite frankly, expects to be in the playoffs every year.

Impact SuperDraft selections: #3 (1st round), #45 (3rd round), #65 (4th round)

Impact Depth Chart: 28 players

Goalkeeper (3):Eric Kronberg, Evan Bush, Maxime Crepeau
Left Back (3): Krzysztof Krol, Donny Toia, Maxim Tissot
Center Back (4): Bakary Soumare, Victor Cabrera, Wandrille Lefevre, Karl Ouimette, Adrian Lopez
Right Back (2): Hassoun Camara, Eric Miller
Defensive Midfield (3): Marco Donadel, Patrice Bernier, Louis Beland-Goyette
Central Midfield (3): Nigel Reo-Coker, Calum Mallace, Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare
Attacking Midfield (2): Ignacio Piatti, Felipe
Winger (5): Andres Romero, Justin Mapp, Dilly Duka, Issey Nakajima-Farran, Blake Smith
Forward (2): Jack McInerney, Anthony Jackson-Hamel

Primary Need: Left Back

The Impact seem to have addressed their central defensive needs with the offseason additions of Bakary Soumare and Victor Cabrera to go along with academy kids Wandrille Lefevre and Karl Ouimette. Lopez, who has been injured for two years, is likely to be a non-factor.

Camara and Miller should be reliable on the right side, but the left side remains a question. None of the three guys on the roster at that spot looked like high-level starters in 2014, which leaves the door open for Frank Klopas to take one of the highly regarded left-back prospects available at No. 3.

It's worth noting, by the way, that Klopas has taken a defender in the first round in every draft he's been a part of with both Chicago and Montreal.

Targets: Andy Thoma (Washington), Otis Earle (UC-Riverside)

Secondary Need: Goalkeeper

There's a reason why Kronberg and Bush have been career backups in MLS. Both guys can have their moments, but both are capable of producing howlers that you'd expect a replacement-level 'keeper to make. Crepeau, meanwhile, remains untested.

This is a strong draft for 'keepers, but No. 3 is a reach. Montreal might do well to trade down for multiple first-round picks – something both Toronto FC and Sporting KC can offer.

Targets: Alex Bono (Syracuse / GA), Tyler Miller (Northwestern)

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