Heimspiele » . And one of those questions is how long hell

MONTREAL - The gloom of starting the season with three straight defeats hasnt descended on the Montreal Impact just yet. The players and their new, as-yet winless coach Frank Klopas, were upbeat this week as they prepared to face the Union on Saturday in Philadelphia. "The effort and intensity have been very good," said Klopas. "Everybodys shown theyre ready to play. Those setbacks will go away if we keep working like we have been." There is reason for optimism, starting with the return of star forward Marco Di Vaio and midfielder Andres Romero from the three-game suspensions they incurred from a scuffle at the end of their playoff game in October in Houston. The 38-year-old Di Vaio, a 20-goal scorer last season, may help them end a goalless string that has reached 205 minutes after being shut out in their last two matches. "Hes a competitive person, but its for the right reasons — for the group," Klopas said of Di Vaio. "His ability to create, and wanting ball in difficult moments, and to score goals... dont mean anything to him unless it helps the team win." Di Vaio is likely to step in for Andrew Wenger, who had a goal in a season-opening 3-2 loss in Dallas while filling in as the lone forward. It was not clear if Romero would start in his usual left midfield position or be available off the bench. There were also reports this week that the club is close to signing a third designated player to go with the Italian Di Vaio and Argentine midfielder Hernan Bernarello. Ignacio Piatti, an attacking midfielder who usually plays on the left wing, is believed ready to ink a deal that would see him join the Impact in June from the San Lorenzo club in Argentina. The team that opened camp with no significant signings, despite a late season plummet from first to fifth place last season, looks ready to make some changes. They also added fullback Heath Pearce during camp. A former Major League Soccer all-star with the New York Red Bulls who is coming off hip surgery, Pearce saw his first game action off the bench in a 2-0 loss at home last week to the Seattle Sounders. "I feel healthy and fit," the 29-year-old Pearce said. "Its been a long process. I feel young again." It was uncertain if he will start at left back, where the teams first round pick in this years draft, Eric Miller, has been impressive. Pearce likes how the Impact have not hung their heads despite the losses. The team started the 2013 campaign with four straight wins. "I dont think theres cause for alarm right now based on our results," he said. "Ive been in situations before where seasons didnt start well and Ive see a complete change in attitude and things get really dark and negative, but here its been upbeat." Defence has been an issue as Montreal has conceded six goals while scoring only twice. They have been lively on attack, leading the league with 57 shot attempts and 20 on target, but aging centreback Matteo Ferrari and converted fullback Hassoun Camera have been overwhelmed at times on counterattacks and set pieces. The Impact are missing centre back Adrian Lopez, who is due to resume practising soon after knee surgery, and the oft-injured Nelson Rivas. They hope to fix their defensive problems against Philadelphia. Montreal is 3-1-1 with 10 goals against the Union scored since joining MLS in 2012. The Union (1-1-1), coming off a 2-1 loss in Columbus, made major off-season changes including the addition of American midfielder Maurice Edu and midfielders Vincent Noguiera and Cristian Maidana. But they also have injury issues on defence, with converted forward Aaron Wheeler now playing in the middle. Impact goalkeeper Troy Perkins said the Union are a puzzle. "With the players they have, especially the new players theyve added, you dont know what youll get," he said. "You dont know if theyll be a high press team or if theyll sit back and counter or if theyll try to play possession. "So you just have to go in and play your game and make them adapt to you." The Impact start the season with three of four games on the road, but after Philadelphia they will be back at Olympic Stadium for their next two against New York and Chicago. Note _ The Impact have loaned 20-year-old midfielder Zakaria Messoudi to the Ottawa Fury of the NASL. The former Canada u20 player is a product of the Impacts academy. Stitched Athletics Jerseys .Derrick Rose scored 23 points, and the Bulls pulled away from the Nets for a 105-80 victory on Wednesday night. Chicago held Brooklyn to 29 points on 26. Custom Oakland Athletics Jerseys . - First-timer Chris Harris Jr. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/ . The Mercedes duo of three-time Canadian Grand Prix champion Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg has won all six races to start the season, finishing one-two in the last five. Athletics Jerseys China . He says he will have the operation Wednesday and be ready in time for training camp in September. Bernier missed five games in March due to the injury. Oakland Athletics Shirts .com) - The surging Montreal Canadiens will try to match their longest winning streak of the season when they visit the Florida Panthers for Saturdays clash at BB&T Center.FORT MYERS, Fla. -- David Ortiz hopes to get a one-year contract extension "pretty soon" and Boston Red Sox owner John Henry would like to fulfil his designated hitters desire to retire as a member of the team. Whether a new deal will be completed during spring training remains uncertain. "I think its going to be OK," Ortiz said Wednesday. "Conversations are good. My bosses are more than happy to talk about what were talking about. Theyre trying to get this out of the way so it doesnt begin to be a distraction. "The contract situation thing is going to be taken care of at some point. When, I dont really know. Hopefully, pretty soon." About 90 minutes later, Henry was more restrained when asked if he expects a speedy resolution. "I dont know that it will get done, but I think its good to have the conversation at the beginning of spring training," he said. "The sooner its resolved, in one way or another, the better it is for everyone." Henry said he and other Red Sox owners would be in town by Thursday. Fernando Cuza, Ortizs agent, has been in Fort Myers this week. Ortiz, 38, is in the final year of a $26 million, two-year contract as he enters his 12th season with the Red Sox. He began last spring training with a heel injury that hobbled him early in the season. But he finished with a .309 batting average, 30 homers and 103 RBIs. In the six-game World Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, he batted .688 and was the MVP. "Hes meant so much to this franchise, to New England, for so long," Henry said. "He has helped carry us to three world championships, so I know where hes coming from. He wants to finish his career here and we should try to make that happen." The Red Sox could be wary of Ortiz having problems with his health or production at his age. But hes looking forward to another outstanding season. "Last year was a tough year for me and I surviveed through it and now I feel great," he said.dddddddddddd "I feel way better than last year." In 11 seasons with the Red Sox, Ortiz is batting .292 with 373 homers and 1,191 RBIs. That averages out to 34 homers and 108 RBIs per season. "I think Im one of the greatest ever to wear this uniform," he said. "I dont like to talk about it, like to sound like that, but sometime you got to let em know. And I think its very disrespectful for someone out there to be saying that Im greedy, that all I want to talk about is contract. When am I going to talk about contract? When I retire?" Hes more upset with people who criticize him, citing "haters" who "talk trash" on radio -- than he is with the Red Sox. He said he doesnt bring up his desire for an extension, but responds to questions asked by reporters. And one of those questions is how long hell continue playing. "I get that question asked all the time," Ortiz said. "And I have a question for everyone. What am I doing so bad that people want me to retire? Can anybody give me an answer to that?" Ortizs desire for a one-year extension "is certainly something we should listen to and consider," Henry said. Can Ortiz imagine playing for another team? "It can happen," he said. "Hopefully not." After slumping in the AL championship series against the Detroit Tigers, Ortiz went 11 for 16 with two homers and six RBIs in the World Series. His .688 batting average and .760 on-base percentage were the second highest in Series history. "People sometimes want to make a big deal about a guy like me asking for another year extension when some others are asking for a 10-year extension," he said. "If it doesnt get done, it doesnt get done. Ive got to come in and get my job done like I normally do. "Im not going to shut it down. Thats not going to get me another contract." ' ' '