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. Mack Lee Hill Jersey .The Canadian teenage golf sensation announced Thursday shell join the LPGA Tour in 2015 instead of attending the University of Florida. Jan Stenerud Jersey . Lost to Los Angeles in first round of playoffs. http://www.customchiefsjersey.com/custom-jim-tyrer-jersey-large-736n.html . The moves were the first punitive steps taken by the Dolphins since a report on the NFLs investigation of the case was released last week. Investigators found that guard Richie Incognito and two teammates engaged in persistent harassment directed at tackle Jonathan Martin, another offensive lineman and an assistant trainer. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Jersey . A police inspector told The Associated Press the crane operator is not yet suspected of any wrongdoing but is considered a key witness to the accident at the Arena Corinthians. Nick Lowery Jersey . -- During a players meeting following the All-Star break, Jermaine ONeal promised his teammates to play the rest of the regular season like he would never play again -- because he very well might not.REGINA - Myles Bell scored 3:07 into overtime as the Kelowna Rockets won their 10th in a row by defeating the host Regina Pats 5-4 in Western Hockey League action. Its the second straight game Bell has scored in extra time for Kelowna, which beat the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-5 on Friday, and he now has four game-winning goals on the season. Tyson Baillie had a goal and three assists for the Rockets (26-3-2) while Ryan Olsen, Zach Franko and Mitchell Wheaton had the others. Colby Williams scored twice for the Pats (18-13-3) and Adam Brooks and Dyson Stevenson had a goal apiece. Jordon Cooke made 28 saves for Kelowna as Dawson MacAuley kicked out 39-of-44 shots for Regina. Both clubs went 2 for 4 on the power play. --- BLAZERS 3 BLADES 2 SASKATOON — Carson Bolduc scored twice, including the winner, as Kamloops handed the Blades their ninth loss in a row. Bolduc broke a 2-2 tie at 8:19 of the third period for the Blazers (9-21-4), who earned their third straight win, and Cole Ully scored the other. Nathan Burns and Nolan Reid scored for Saskatoon (10-23-3) and Nikita Scherbak assisted on both. Taran Kozun made 38 saves for Kamloops as Troy Trombley gave up three goals on 41 shots for the Blades. --- WHEAT KINGS 4 WARRIORS 1 BRANDON — Jordan Papirny made 36 saves and Chad Robinson had a goal and an assist as the Wheat Kings downed Moose Jaw. Tyler Coulter, Jens Meilleur and Quinton Lisoway also scored for Brandon (18-14-3) and Rene Hunter chipped in with three assists. Tanner Eberle scored for the Warriors (8-21-6), who have dropped seven straight. Justin Paulic turned aside 23-of-26 shots for Moose Jaw. --- ICE 3 BRONCOS 2 (SO) CRANBROOK, B.C. — Luke Philp had a goal and an assist in regulation, then added the shootout winner, as Kootenay edged Swift Current. Mackenzie Skapski earned the games first star for the Ice (18-16-2) as he stopped 41 shots through regulation and overtime and both shooters he faced in the shootout. Jaedon Descheneau also had a goal and an assist for Kootenay. Jake DeBrusk and Graham Black scored for the Broncos (19-12-5), who dropped their third straight. Eetu Laurikainen made 31 saves in a losing cause. --- REBELS 3 HURRICANES 2 (SO) RED DEER, Alta. —Meyer Nell scored the winner in the sixth round of the shootout and Patrik Bartosak turned away 42 shots as the Rebels slipped past Lethbridge. Conner Bleackley and Lukas Sutter also scored for Red Deer (16-16-2), with Sutters goal coming on a penalty shot.dddddddddddd The Hurricanes (5-26-5), who are last in the WHL standings, got goals from Reid Duke and Reid Nemith. Teagan Sacher made 31 saves for Lethbridge. --- TIGERS 4 ROYALS 3 (SO) MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Curtis Valk scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the Tigers downed Victoria. Trevor Cox had a goal and an assist for Medicine Hat (20-10-3) while Tyler Lewington scored the other. Austin Carroll scored twice for the Royals (21-13-2) and Chaz Reddekopp had a goal and an assist. Daniel Wapple made 34 saves for the Tigers while Victorias Patrik Polivka turned aside 36 shots in a losing cause. --- WINTERHAWKS 5 THUNDERBIRDS 3 PORTLAND, Ore. -- Paul Bittner scored three times in the third period as the Winterhawks came from behind to snap Seattles eight-game win streak. Keoni Texeira and Keegan Iverson also scored for Portland (23-7-4), which trailed 2-0 at first intermission and 2-1 after 40 minutes of play, while Garrett Haar and Chase De Leo tacked on three assists apiece. Adam Henry scored twice for the Thunderbirds (20-10-4 ) and Scott Eansor had the other. Brendan Burke stopped 23-of-26 shots for the Winterhawks. Justin Myles made 34 saves for Seattle. --- GIANTS 6 SILVERTIPS 3 EVERETT, Wash. — Jackson Houck scored twice and set up one more as Vancouver doubled up the Silvertips for its fourth straight victory. Carter Popoff had a goal and an assist for the Giants (17-12-7) while Brett Kulak, Tim Traber and Trent Lofthouse each scored once. Jujhar Khaira, Kohl Bauml and Joshua Winquist scored for Everett (21-9-4), which lost its third game in a row. Jared Rathjen made 21 saves for Vancouver as Austin Lotz stopped 24-of-29 shots for the Silvertips. --- CHIEFS 6 COUGARS 3 SPOKANE, Wash. — Mike Aviani and Mitch Holmberg combined for three goals and nine points as the Chiefs toppled Prince George. Aviani scored once and set up four more for Spokane (20-12-2) while Holmberg had two goals and two assists, which gives him a league-best 74 points. Jeremy McIntosh, Jeff Rayman and Adam Helewka also scored for the Chiefs and Eric Williams made 27 saves for the victory. Todd Fiddler scored for the Cougars (13-18-5) and assisted on goals by Jordan Tkatch and Troy Bourke. Ty Edmonds turned away 30-of-36 shots for Prince George. --- ' ' '