The matchup between the Montreal Impact and Toronto FC Saturday, the Impact’s outdoor debut, doesn't just feature two of the best teams in the east, it also features two of the biggest stars in the league.
Didier Drogba and TFC’s Sebastian Giovinco are two great strikers who provide a lot of excitement. The challenge for the Impact’s back four will be to stop the man who may be the best player in the league.
“We definitely need to know where he’s at, when we attack, when we have the ball, when we don’t have the ball. He's someone who can unbalance our back line, but at the same time, as much as we focus on shutting him down, we need to focus on what we can do to unbalance them,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello.
No one works and studies harder than keeper even Bush, who will have to be at his best against the best. He’s been studying video to prepare for the match.
“Certain guys watch certain players and I of course watch the attacking players. What they do on set pieces, how they like to strike balls, what part of the field they like to collect the ball in, so you certainly need to learn about guys and Giovinco you need to study quite a bit,” he said.
The Impact are, without question, in fine form – the team has had had an excellent start to the season, posting a .500 record on the road in four games and perfect at home in two games, all without a full game from Drogba. He will get his first start Saturday.
“Obviously, Drogba, anytime he’s in the box, every team knows where he is, with the exception of Chicago, apparently,” Bush said, laughing, in reference to the goal Drogba scored minutes after entering the Impact’s game last Saturday. “But you have to know where guys like [Ignacio] Piatti and Drogba are because those guys are difference makers.”
The Impact and Toronto FC are forming one of the best rivalries in the major league of soccer, and forward Dominic Oduro said he believes Toronto hasn’t faced a team like them yet.
“They haven't played a dynamic team like us. I think our attack is really lethal with Drogba back and Piatti in shape. The way we have been playing lately, I think they are just going to see a different team. I think they're going to see a team that is better than it was last year and is improved and is really hungry,” he said.
