Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba celebrates his goal against the Colorado Rapids during first half MLS action, Saturday, April 30, 2016 in Montreal. After a torrid finish to the 2015 season following the arrival of scoring star Drogba, expectations were high for this season. A 4-3-2 record has them battling for first place in the Eastern Conference, despite concerns over a three-game winless run. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

MONTREAL - It hasn't been quite the romp that many Montreal Impact fans expected after the club's torrid finish to the 2015 MLS season.

But the Impact players and coaches feel good about their start to the current campaign, despite going without a win in a run of three games in eight days last week.

The Impact (4-3-2) still hold top spot in the weak Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Philadelphia which holds a game a in hand. The same record would have them tied for sixth place in the west.

"It's good that we went through a rough patch and we're still in first place," goalkeeper Evan Bush said Wednesday. "We feel good about being first and that there's a lot of opportunities coming up against conference teams and we can really put a lot of points between us."

It starts Saturday with a visit to Columbus, who they beat 2-0 at Olympic Stadium on April 9.

Mostly, it has been an up and down start for Montreal, even though there were few personnel changes from the one that ended last season on a 7-2-2 tear led by the arrival of scoring ace Didier Drogba, who had 11 goals in 11 regular-season games.

Drogba missed four of the first five games this season because his knees suffer on artificial turf. He has two goals in five appearances on grass fields so far, including an impressive strike off a free kick in a 2-2 home draw with Colorado last Saturday.

The Impact are 2-2-1 on the road, which is very good in MLS, and 2-1-1 at home, which is decent. But going 0-1-2 in their last three, including two home games, was a letdown. It started with a 2-0 loss to rival Toronto FC in their first game at Saputo Stadium. They pulled out a 1-1 draw at New York City with a late strike, then blew leads twice at home in a 2-2 draw with western conference leader Colorado.

"Guys were tired physically and mentally," said Bush. "We made mental mistakes.

"You can't blow two leads at home. That was unacceptable. But the fighting spirit has been there."

There has also been instability on defence with fullbacks Donny Toia and Hassoun Camara both out four to six weeks with hamstring injuries. Centreback Victor Cabrera also missed time although he was back in training this week.

"It's normal through a season to go through ups and downs," said Bush. "Teams see what gave you success and they try to take that away, so you have to find other ways to have success."

Injuries have given some bench players a chance to shine, including fullback Maxim Tissot, who scored against Colorado.

"I like the fact that I've been able to make changes and players were ready when called upon," said coach Mauro Biello. "Guys have stepped in and done fairly well and helped us stay where we are."

"What we need to improve is managing momentum in a game, understanding when we need to be patient and when to speed up the play. Last game, we gave up too many set pieces at the end. But overall, to say we're in first place after a quarter of the season, yeah, I'm happy with that."

The Impact got a scare near the end of training when Drogba hobbled off after Cabrera stepped on his foot.

"We hope it's nothing serious," said Biello.

Midfielder Johan Venegas missed training to have tests done on a sore calf but Biello said the Costa Rican was fine and will be back on the field Thursday.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2016