Urruti likes his role but wants more goals
After 10 games played in the 2019 MLS regular season, Impact supporters have become somewhat familiar with the club’s new players. If there’s one thing they found out about striker Maxi Urruti, acquired from FC Dallas during the offseason, it’s that he runs. A lot. Always.
Head coach Rémi Garde has said it more than once this season: Urruti is the team’s first line of defense.
“I take a lot of pride in that role,” said Urruti. “The coach always wants the clean sheet and I’ve always said that a team’s first line of defense is the forward. I try and give my best for the team. I know I haven’t scored and I’m not sure why, but it’s important that the team plays together, compact, and presses as a group.”
After finding the back of the net twice in five preseason games, the Argentine’s first official goal is still eluding him, but that’s the only part of his game that’s been lacking; the striker already has three assists and he causes opposing defenses loads of trouble with his incessant high press.
“We see everything he does up front,” said centre back Zakaria Diallo. “His defensive contribution is enormous, and I have complete confidence in him. I think he’ll score sooner rather than later. He works hard at training and everything goes well for him there. He hasn’t been rewarded yet, but he will be, whether it’s soon or later in the season.”
The next chance he’ll have to do so will be this Saturday at Stade Saputo, when the Impact hosts New York City FC at 5pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690). The Montreal club will donate $1 to the Red Cross for each ticket sold for that game that will go toward supporting victims of spring floods in Quebec.
“Maybe Saphir’s shot just needs to touch me and I score,” joked Urruti. “I need to score. For me, the striker is there to score. It doesn’t need to be pretty, but my focus remains on the team, and I’m very happy to see us atop the table. We need to keep going.”
