MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact traveled to the West Coast on Thursday to face the LA Galaxy this Saturday at 10:30pm EDT (TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690), in what promises to be a good challenge at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
With Didier Drogba and Ignacio Piatti healthy for IMFC, and summer transfers Giovani Dos Santos and Steven Gerrard lining up alongside Robbie Keane with the Galaxy, some of the biggest names in the soccer world will go head-to-head.
“We are playing against one of the best teams in the league with some important players,” said head coach Mauro Biello. “Our concentration and mentality must be there and it will be a big challenge for us, but we worked well this week and we’ll be ready for Saturday.”
“It’s a very important game for us,” added Ignacio Piatti. “Since Didier’s arrival, things have gone well. He plays as a lone striker and is a strong player. We have to get him the ball because he scores goals.”
The Impact won 4-3 over Chicago at Stade Saputo in its most recent match, where Drogba scored a hat trick in his first career start with the team. Ambroise Oyongo and Johan Venegas, who were away for international duty, will also be available for selection. However, defender Laurent Ciman will miss the team’s next two matches due to a suspension for both a red card and yellow card accumulation.
“You’re going to have ups and downs over a season, with injuries and international games,” explained defender Donny Toia. “When you have a full lineup, we have to pull things together on the field and get positive results.”
Aside from the additions of two DP’s this summer, the Galaxy have also added U.S. youth international Sebastien Lletget, who's already scored seven goals in just 14 games played. With Gyasi Zardes’ six goals and Alan Gordon’s five off the bench, the Galaxy has the league’s best offence with 49 goals and is second best in MLS at 46 points.
Following this contest, the Impact travels to San Jose for a midweek clash with the Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium on September 16 at 10:30pm EDT (TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690). IMFC will play its next home game on Saturday, September 19, at 8pm, versus the New England Revolution. Tickets are going fast (TICKETS).
