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MONTREAL - After a devastating start to the season, Patrice Bernier would love to see the Montreal Impact head into the World Cup break on a high note. The Impact (2-6-4) host D.C. United tonight before a two-week respite from Major League Soccer, and Bernier says a tough defeat against third-place United (6-4-4) could hurt the teams morale, and undo much of their recent success. Watch the game live on TSN and TSN GO at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. "You want to finish on a high, with positive emotions," the Impact midfielder said after practice this week. "We want to start the second half of the season with good energy, so its important to take points from a conference rival. We havent quite reached our full potential yet. We have to use everything weve done over the last few weeks, use that intensity, and finish with something to build on before the two-week break." After stumbling out to a horrible start, the tide may be turning for the Impact. While still at the bottom of the MLS standings, with only 10 points from 12 games, Montreal has strung together a few convincing performances in the last four weeks. The team has only lost once in its last six games (3-1-2) in all competitions, has posted consecutive clean sheets, and is unbeaten at home in its last three. The Impact havent conceded at Saputo Stadium in the last 206 minutes. Whats more, the Impact are flying high after taking home the Amway Canadian Championship last week, beating their Toronto FC rivals in the second leg of the final on home soil. "Its good to walk with your chest up a little, with broad shoulders and with more confidence," Impact coach Frank Klopas said of the teams newfound optimism. "But you have to stay level-headed and continue to work. We cant let anything get to our head. The attitude and the mentality have to be right — and then we can enjoy the break." Montreal is facing a consistent D.C. United club on a good stretch of their own. Ben Olsens men have only lost twice in their last 12 contests — both defeats coming in one-goal decisions on the road. D.C. is stingy at the back. Theyve conceded an MLS third-best 14 goals on the season — only Toronto (13) and Los Angeles (11) have surrendered less. Goalie Bill Hamid has only been beaten three times in his last six games. And like the Impact, United have recorded back-to-back clean sheets. At the other end of the pitch, Fabian Espindola is playing equally well. The Argentine striker, who has scored in three consecutive contests, leads the team in almost every offensive category. He has seven goals, five assists, 34 shots, and 14 shots on target so far this season. "They have a team where if we lose our concentration or focus at any moment, it can hurt you," said Klopas. "They have a lot of talented players in the final third that can create problems. We cannot lose our focus. "Its a tricky game because you cant be thinking about the break. Weve worked so hard that we cannot relax right now. The attitude has to be the way its been in the last couple of games. If we dont, were going to make it very difficult on ourselves." Klopass men seemed to lose their focus the last time these two teams met on May 17, settling for the 1-1 draw after conceding late to DCUs Eddie Johnson. The Impact took the lead in the 56th minute courtesy of Jack McInerney, but coughed it up five minutes from time. Montreals lax defending allowed Espindola to send a cross in the penalty box to a loosely-covered Johnson, who headed it home. Wary of a similar outcome, Klopas made sure his team focused on their box defending in training on Monday. Bernier says the Impact squad that blew the lead at RFK Stadium last month is long gone. "The group is more solid in defence," he said. "We arent giving up many chances. Up front, were creating chances and were winning tight games. Were more confident and better organized now. Were working better as a team. Were giving up fewer freebies than we did at the start of the season." The Impact could be without the services of midfielder Justin Mapp, who hurt his groin in the Canadian Championship final. Mapp, who played three games with D.C. United in 2002, didnt practise with his teammates on Monday, instead doing various strength exercises along the sidelines. Officially match fit for the first time in more than six months, Spanish defender Adrian Lopez was on the pitch practising with the team. Lopez tore his right ACL in September and underwent surgery the following month. Although he is cleared by the team doctors, he will likely make his first appearance for the club after the two-week break. Notes: D.C. United are one point off the Eastern Conference lead. … Montreal and D.C. have split their six all-time meetings (2-2-2). … Newly-acquired Mamadou Danso could make his Impact debut on Wednesday. … Espindola missed a penalty kick deep into stoppage time against Columbus on Saturday. The goal would surely have given D.C. a 1-0 victory. … McInerney has four career goals versus DCU. … The two teams meet up one final time when they wrap up their MLS seasons on Oct. 25. Brian McCann Jersey . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Ronald Acuna Jr. Jersey . Villa has already confirmed his short-term deal and the Daily Mirror reported early Tuesday that Lampard will join him as both build up match fitness ahead of moves to the new Major League Soccer franchise New York City. http://www.baseballbravesproshop.com/adam-duvall-braves-jersey/ . -- Center Max Unger and tight end Zach Miller are both probable for the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday against the New York Giants and Percy Harvins recovery continues to be slow. Dale Murphy Braves Jersey . CBS Sports Jon Heyman is reporting that Santana will sign a one-year deal, likely in the next two days with one of a trio of suitors, with the Toronto Blue Jays believed to be heavily involved. Tom Glavine Braves Jersey . -- Thirty years ago, the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime, a game that remains the highest scoring in NBA history.SEATTLE -- The investment group trying to bring mens professional basketball back to Seattle is remaining focused on the NBA, even if landing a hockey franchise could happen sooner. "No one in our ownership group is interested in being a majority owner in an NHL franchise. Thats been the case since the start," said Chris Hansen, who led the unsuccessful effort last year to purchase the Sacramento Kings and move them to Seattle. "Ive certainly queried our ownership group about this. I think if someone really wanted to it would be easier than bringing in an outside party. "But the most important thing is the passion is just not there for the NHL among our ownership group that is there for basketball. Getting involved in hockey solely because basketball hasnt worked out right now, when its not something your heart is in, would be a disservice to the fans here." Even as rumours continue to circulate about the NHL having interest in Seattle as a market sooner rather than later, Hansen said his job would be to find someone willing to partner with his group and their proposed arena in Seattle. The arena has been approved by both the Seattle City Council and King County Council pending environmental reviews. Hansen said the focus right now is getting those environmental reviews completed -- possibly by the end of the summer -- so that if an NBA franchise becomes available via sale or expansion, Seattle can be at the front of the line ready to go. He has no interest in re-writing the memorandum of understanding reached between all parties so that an NHL franchise could possibly be a primary tenant in a new arena.dddddddddddd Hansen has kept a relatively low profile since last spring, when his groups attempts to buy the Kings from the Maloof family and move the team were blocked by the NBA Board of Governors. NBA owners rejected Hansens record $625 million bid and eventually approved the sale to a group of investors led by technology executive Vivek Ranadive for $535 million with plans to keep the franchise in Sacramento. Hansen said there are far fewer conversations with the NBA now than there were at this time a year ago, though he remains confident the NBA will eventually return to Seattle. His investment group has not changed, including former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, and neither has his original timeline of trying to land a team within five years of when the process began. "By the end of that, the NBA will have its new TV contract. Theyll have a few years of the revenue sharing and collective bargaining agreements being in place to understand the profitability of some of the teams that might have been a concern and there are a few franchises that are up for sale and that will probably have been worked out one way or another," Hansen said. "I think theyll be in a better position at some time within the next three years on expansion or possibly something else will come our way." ' ' '