MONTREAL -- Montreal Impact management are confident that new coach Frank Klopas will get the team back on track after a horrendous start to the Major League Soccer season. Paul George Jersey . Sporting director Nick De Santis said Thursday that Klopas has done a good job preparing the club for games and that he still has the players support. The winless Impact (0-4-3), who were leading the league at this time last season, are last in MLS heading into a home game Saturday against the Philadelphia Union. "The coaches, I can guarantee you, from the first day have done good work," said De Santis. "You can see the intensity from the players in every practice. "Yes theres tension and pressure, less confidence, but thats pro sports. I think the team believes in the coach and will come out of this." There has been speculation about Klopas future among fans and media as the winless run to start the season -- the worst in the teams 21-year history including its pre-MLS days -- drags on. It hit a fever pitch after last weeks 4-0 loss at Kansas City. If Klopas is feeling the pressure, he didnt show it. "I know its about results," he said. "Im not here to make excuses. "Im very thankful to be part of this organization. I think Nick and all of us work hard. Thats all I can do. I dont think about the other stuff. The only thing I can do is prepare the team and make sure we do as well as we can to get the team back on track." The Impact will play their first game on the grass field at Saputo Stadium after three home games indoors at Olympic Stadium, where they had a loss and two draws. Another defeat -- in the first meeting between the clubs since Montreal sent Andrew Wenger to Philadelphia for Jack McInerney in a swap of strikers last month -- would put more heat on Klopas, the former Chicago Fire boss who replaced the fired Marco Schallibaum in December. There has also been criticism of De Santis, who made no major off-season moves despite a late-season tailspin and a one-sided loss to Houston in the first round of playoffs in 2013. "I understand the frustration," said De Santis. "Im from Montreal. "I live here every day and I know how people feel. They have a right to criticize and Im in a position where I have to accept that. But Im very confident in this team and that, with a few additions, we can improve this team." Since the start of training camp, the Impact have added former New York fullback Heath Pierce, little used forward Santiago Gonzalez, and made the McInerney trade. De Santis said he is looking at adding a third designated player to go with striker Marco Di Vaio and midfielder Hernan Bernardello, and that he has his sights on Argentine midfielder Ignacio Piatti. He wont be able to sign anyone until the July transfer period, however. In the meantime, the Impact have been pleading for patience. Team president Joey Saputo wrote this week on Twitter: "Very frustrating start to the season. We need and will turn this around. Lets stay focused and determined. More than ever, we need our fans." Despite their record, the Impact are only five points out of a playoff spot as the entire Eastern Conference has had trouble winning. Kansas City and Columbus share the conference lead with 11 points, including only three wins each in six games. De Santis said that missing Di Vaio for the opening three games to a suspension and injuries to Bernardello and midfielder Sanna Nyassi have hurt. He said the team has also been unlucky and could have won a game or two that slipped away. Missing injured central defenders Nelson Rivas and Adrian Lopez has also been a problem as veteran Matteo Ferrari has found himself working with youngsters most weeks. Lopez, who blew out a knee after only one game for Montreal last summer, had his first full-field practice Thursday, but is not yet ready to play. The oft-injured Rivas looked ready to return two weeks ago, but is back to running laps during practice. Ferrari said he hasnt given up hope. "I like the coach and the job hes doing because hes very professional," the former AS Roma and Everton defender said. "He likes the details and he prepares the game well. "Theres nothing I can say negative. If I look at the standings, its bad, but the first place team has three wins, not five or six. So lets win a couple of games and then well be talking about something else." Klopas also talked about Jeb Brovsky, a workhorse under Schallibaum last season who became a fan favourite for his toughness and his extensive work for charities and other causes. The third-year fullback has spent most of the season on the bench while Pearce played left fullback. Brovsky is likely to stay there for now. "He played on the left side and Im looking for more of a natural left-footed player," said Klopas. "On the right side, we have (Eric) Miller and (Hassoun) Camara, so theres competition. "Jeb has handled it well. But to be fair, when you put him on the left side, its not ideal, even if he played well last year. Im looking for a left-footed guy that can open up the field, that can get crosses in. But hell get opportunities." Luis Scola Jersey . A Los Angeles judge on Thursday said the case wont finish by Tuesday but will continue on July 21 because some lawyers for team owner Donald Sterling have personal plans. Sterling is suing to block his wifes unilateral deal to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Rodney Stuckey Pacers Jersey . The result was a game-winning, power-play goal. Chiasson snapped a third-period tie and lifted the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 victory on Monday night.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Its still early, but cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner are both enjoying their new starts with the New England Patriots. "Last year it was a tough year when I played in Tampa Bay," said Revis, who signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Patriots, with a $20 million team option for a second year. "It was tough, coming off the ACL and everything, so it was a long year, for me, personally just trying to recover. "Now, Im ready to go and Im just trying to sit here and absorb everything in, just trying to enjoy my time and get ready for the season," Revis added Friday, the third day of the Patriots organized team activities. Browner didnt have a long year in Seattle — not in terms of games played, anyway. He was suspended indefinitely by the NFL in December for what was termed multiple violations of the leagues drug policy. That caused him to miss the Seahawks late regular season and playoff games and their run to winning the Super Bowl. He gets a ring and even visited the White House with the team. Now, hell sit out the first four games under the remaining suspension as he starts a three-year, $12.35 million contract with his new team. "Its fun to be back out here," Browner said. "My situation last year was unfortunate. Im happy to be out here." Revis is in New England to anchor what previously had been a maligned defensive backfield. The secondary was clearly better last year when Aqib Talib was on the field. Now, Talib is in Denver, and Revis is the top guy on his third team in three years; he also was with the Jets before being traded to Tampa Bay. Quarterback Tom Brady has said hes already tired of throwing the ball in Revis direction. "Its always a defensive annd offensive competition going and I think both sides, what were really trying to do is just get better at the end of the day," Revis said. Rodney Stuckey Jersey. "Its good to have the same jersey on as Tom and everybody else on this team. "For offence and defence, its competition, but at the same time were all just trying to get better." And so far, both players like what they see from their new surroundings. "Its totally different," Revis said. "Theres things that you didnt expect how this organization is run from top to bottom. Youve got to take your hat off to Mr. (Robert) Kraft for how this organization operates. Theyre a winning organization and Im happy those guys gave me an opportunity to come in here and be a part of it." Browner agreed, saying his new situation is "very exciting. Im on a great team. Im fortunate to be here with these guys. I look forward to playing." Asked repeatedly about his suspension, Browner said, "Thats in the past, man. I dont care what nobody thinks. Thats in the past; Im looking forward to playing for the Patriots." But he did get to go to Washington with the rest of the champion Seahawks. "It was a good experience, a great experience," he said, "to go meet the president, look around the White House a little bit." NOTES: Quarterback Johnny Garoppolo and tight end Asa Watson, both recently drafted by the Patriots, were among the missing at the OTAs. Both were attending the NFLPAs Rookie Premiere symposium. . First-round draft pick Dominique Easley, recovering from knee surgery, also was among the missing. . Kraft was on hand for some of Fridays workout. . Tight end Rob Gronkowski, also recovering from knee surgery, was among those limited in the workout. ' ' '
