Should slumping Montreal Impact fire coach Marco Schallibaum?

A major midseason skid may force the Montreal Impact to consider some major moves. Following a terrible 4-0 loss at the New York Red Bulls last Saturday, Impact team president Joey Saputo rescheduled a press conference that was originally set for Monday. Now, the presser will apparently go Wednesday. There is speculation that Saputo may not only be addressing the team’s first half of the season and plans for the stretch run, but that he might also be announcing a coaching change.

A report from the Spanish division of MLSscoccer.com states Juan Carlos Osorio could be named manager following the dismissal of Marco Schallibaum. Osorio has MLS experience managing the Chicago Fire and the New York Red Bulls. The Impact have yet to comment on the story, but it’s quite clear the team is in serious trouble after its tremendous start. The Impact are now winless in four games and have dropped out of first place in the Eastern Conference. During the skid, Montreal has conceded a whopping 12 goals. Through the team’s first nine games it allowed only three goals.

“They (were) too afraid,” Schallibaum told reporters of his team after last weekend’s loss. “When you’re first, you must play like a top team and in the first half, we weren’t a top team.

“This wasn’t a good game tonight, but we played better in the second half with more character. It’s not easy being in first place and even more difficult to remain on top. We’ll need to work and return to the basics.”

Well, no kidding. The only real good news surrounding the team at the moment was the announcement that striker Marco Di Vaio and midfielder Patrice Bernier will represent the Impact at the MLS All-Star game against AS Roma on July 31.

Montreal isn’t getting the counterattacking opportunities through the middle of the pitch that it was earlier this season and now looks completely lost at the back. The Red Bulls embarrassed the Impact on set pieces and consistently pushed through balls past the back line to put pressure on keeper Troy Perkins, who is clearly getting frustrated at being under siege consistently.

At this point, Schallibaum is running out of leeway. Montreal has loads of talent moving forward, but has been extremely sloppy at the back and on set pieces. The Impact can’t continue to give up so many scoring chances and at some point, Schallibaum needs to be held responsible.

But dismissing him while the team is near the top of the table at the midway point of the season would be a rash decision. I still expect him on the sidelines for Saturday’s match at FC Dallas. However, if the Impact don’t come up with a solid effort this weekend as a +114 favourite on the road, Saputo might be forced into making a change.