Argentine’s consistency in MLS makes him top contender
Another regular season is almost over in MLS, and once again, it’s Montreal Impact sensation Nacho Piatti who is in the conversation for the league’s most valuable player, and rightly so.
And the MLS is definitely aware. Two weeks ago, an article written on the league’s website praised the Argentine, ranking him as one of only six players to reach double digits in both goals and assists this season.
Since 2016, only four players have created more goals for their team than Nacho Piatti. He’s the ultimate silent leader, and he bleeds Bleu-blanc-noir.
“I do my best for Montreal. I scored 17 last year, and 21 when we went to the Eastern Conference final. It’s not me who decides, it’s MLS. I do my work, and we’ll see what happens. What’s important for me is that the coach, the president, and Montrealers are happy with me.”
The Argentine leads his team in offensive categories and scored his two biggest goals of the season in a 2-0 win against Toronto FC last weekend, keeping the Impact alive in the playoff race heading into MLS Decision Day.
“He’s a natural leader,” said defender Bacary Sagna. “He doesn’t need to speak. From his example on and off the field, everyone shows him respect and he has incredible technical abilities. I didn’t know him when I got here, but I quickly realized in training how talented he was. I’m not surprised to see he’s ranked among the league’s best. He carries his team and he’s decisive in every game.”
Same Nacho, new tricks
Not much seems to have changed this year under head coach Rémi Garde. Nacho is once again close to the top of the MLS scoring charts with 16 goals. But it’s also his 13 assists that have people talking, which is more than double the assists he managed in both previous seasons, setting a club record in MLS.
Garde had originally heard of Piatti during the Argentine’s short stint with French side AS Saint-Étienne in 2006, when the Impact head coach was still in the Olympique Lyonnais staff. Although he knew Nacho had ended up making his way to MLS, Garde didn’t specially follow his career – until he came to Montreal, of course, and saw him first hand.
“The player I discovered here is a player who is very easy and fun to work with,” said head coach Rémi Garde. “He’s a leader in his own way and someone who’s constantly good at a high level.”
That last point precisely is what makes Nacho so distinguishable from his peers, according to the head coach.
“When the people who choose who the league’s best player is make a decision, an important criterion should be regularity at the highest level,” added Garde. “It’s extremely difficult to be consistent and it holds enormous value if you are able to. I hope one day Nacho does receive the league’s recognition, because for me he really deserves it.”
