Before the Impact ever took to the pitch, head coach Jesse Marsch stressed that he was building a team with veteran leadership. Players like Quebec-born midfielder Patrice Bernier and captain Davy Arnaud were expected to lead the way and take on the brunt of the load for this MLS expansion team.
Now, having played 27 games, these two veterans have been helped by a few young, breakout players.
Mr. Versatile: Jeb Brovsky
Brovsky has done whatever the coaching staff has asked of him. He moved around a lot on the backline, playing both wing-back positions. He had a stint as a central defender last week versus the San Jose Earthquakes after fellow back-liner Hassoun Camara was shown a red card, showing his value as a versatile member of the Impact’s D-line.
“We don’t notice him that much, because wing-backs are not goal scorers and don’t necessarily make last-ditch interventions like central defenders do,” said Bernier. “In the past few weeks, if you put aside some of our big name defenders, I think Jeb has been the most consistent.”
Collen Warner, a rock in the midfield
Warner, despite his one assist on the season, has been a huge contributor in the midfield, doing what Bernier calls “the dirty work.” He is the team’s current ironman in terms of appearances, having seen action in the Impact’s last 17 straight games, 16 as a starter. He’s played more this season (1,911 minutes) than he has in his last two seasons combined (1,532 minutes with Real Salt Lake).
“Even if he hasn’t scored or had many assists, Collen (Warner) has put a lot of work in the middle of the field,” explained Bernier. “With his previous team, he had more an offensive role and this year, he’s playing in a more defensive position. He’s improved a lot and I think that he’s a player who the US national team should invite for their next camp.”
“I think I agree with Patrice about Collen,” said Arnaud. “Coming from Salt Lake, he wasn’t playing as much as he would have liked to. He’s been asked by Jesse (Marsch) to play a big role and play a lot of minutes. He’s embraced it and he continues to improve. Playing alongside Patrice has also helped him and I think Collen’s contribution has been really good for the team.”
Good words for Karl W. Ouimette
The Impact’s future looks bright with not only the contributions of guys like Warner and Brovsky, but with a few younger guys waiting on the sideline. Terrebonne-native and homegrown player Karl W. Ouimette was the first Academy product to sign a professional contract with the Impact in MLS. The 20-year-old spent three seasons in Montreal’s development system, two of them as captain of the U21 team.
“If you look at Karl Ouimette, he’s very young guy,” explained Arnaud. “He’s raw in a few aspects of his game, but I think his attitude for a guy his age is very good and he’ll have a bright future. He’s athletic, he reads the game well and he will continue to improve.”
With guys like Warner, Brovsky and Ouimette making a name for themselves on the pitch, earning the praise of the team’s experienced captain and vice-captain, the Impact’s future looks to be in good hands.
