3:1 Montreal New York Di Vaio Arnaud Nyassi Henry 07.28.12 · League

With Tim Cahill's signing this week, the excitement surrounding this team has been near an all-time high. Surely, a team so stacked, with so many attacking options, has no choice but contend for MLS Cup? Well, as tonight's game proved, this team will go as far as its defense will take it. And that is necessarily a good thing, as multiple defensive breakdowns dropped Metro to a 3:1 loss to Montreal.

"Clever" Hans Backe made just one change from last week's oh-so-different performance versus Philadelphia, forced by Brandon Barkalge's injury. Jan Gunnar Solli stepped into his old right-back-by-necessity position.

Metro's lone chances of the first half came off set pieces. S. Markus Holgersson was unlucky not to connect off a free kick that ended on the goal's doorstep; the vice captain shot high. Kenny Cooper's shot off a corner was saved by Donovan Ricketts.

Montreal toyed with the Metro offside line throughout the half. More often than not, the line stepped up successfully, but twice the Impact broke through, only for Bill Gaudette to deny them. His save on a Justin Mapp breakaway was beyond reproach.

The game was decided in a two minute span early in the second half. In the 48th minute, Solli lost Marco Di Vaio, and the Italian striker made him pay. Two minutes later, Davy Arnaud broke the offside trap and doubled the lead.

Metro responded seven minutes after the second goal, after Titi Henry received a cross from Joel Lindpere. Ricketts stupidly came out, and the Frenchman tipped it over the keeper to bring Metro closer. Unfortunately, that's as close as they got, as a Lindpere turnover in the 74th minute led to Sanna Nyassi restoring the two-goal lead. Metro slept through the rest of the match.

So, are we still excited? Well, let's see what the defense brings next week.

Lineup: Gaudette, Miller, Holgersson, Conde, Solli, McCarty, Lade, Lindpere, Le Toux, Cooper, Henry. Subs: Palsson.