No need for a PhD in soccer to figure out that a fine challenge awaits the Montreal Impact backline.
The announcement, this weekend, of national team call-ups for Laurent Ciman (Belgium) and Ambroise Oyongo (Cameroon) came on top of a couple of knocks to other defenders such as Donny Toia.
This Saturday, the Impact hosts the LA Galaxy (8pm EDT; RDS, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690 – TICKETS), a team that, even without stars like Robbie Keane (Republic of Ireland) and Gyasi Zardes (United States) on national team duty, remains dangerous. But the Impact defenders view the future with confidence.
“We still have players that will be ready to go on Saturday,” said Hassoun Camara after Tuesday’s training session. “Of course, we’ll miss some important players, but as I’ve said from the beginning, we’ll take this league on as a unit.”
Over the next couple of weeks, Camara will certainly take on more responsibilities, as will the likes of Maxim Tissot and Wandrille Lefèvre. Centre back Kyle Fisher, a 2016 MLS SuperDraft pick, could make his MLS debut sooner rather than later, too.
“Fisher’s been working very hard,” said Tissot. “I know he’s raring to go. He puts a lot of pressure on himself. I know he’ll be ready when he gets a chance.”
Tissot also recognized that the group has to learn lessons from last Saturday’s game at Orlando, most notably regarding preventive coverage. But he is convinced that his teammates will also be determined to put together a great performance against the Galaxy.
“We’re testing our depth, but it’ll encourage squad players to give a bit more,” said Tissot. “It’s a new situation, but it’s up to the players to show what they can do then.”
