Bleu-blanc-noir will be without Piatti and Diallo against SKC
It was always going to be a difficult challenge against Sporting Kansas City. The Impact, who started the season with two wins and a loss after three away games, faces perhaps its steepest test against a team that has proven to be consistently good over the past few seasons.
The fact that they’re going in there without Designated Player Nacho Piatti, injured, or centre-back Zakaria Diallo, suspended, will definitely serve as a true test of character.
“It’s going to be a really tough test and a challenge for sure,” said defender Daniel Lovitz. “But given the context of the season right now, we shouldn’t have any fear or reservation going in there. It’s a fun place to play and it’s a game that we should try to win no matter what. It’s against a good opponent in an amazing atmosphere.”
Lovitz is one of five Impact players coming back from international duty during the break. Samuel Piette and Zachary Brault-Guillard were with the Canadian national team, Orji Okwonkwo with the Nigerian U23 team, while Algerian Saphir Taïder joined the Fennecs for two games. With so many variables at play, head coach Rémi Garde may opt to alter his line-up.
“It’s on us to adapt as quickly as possible,” said midfielder Saphir Taïder. “The rest of the team worked hard during the break and we had games as well. We know it’ll be a complicated game tomorrow. On our end, our strength lies in our collective. I think we have an important group with quality and tomorrow will be the time to show it.”
The atmosphere promises to be electric at Children’s Mercy Park, Saturday at 3pm, when the game between the Bleu-blanc-noir and Sporting Kansas City officially kicks off (TVA Sports, TSN, CTV, 98.5, TSN 690). The last time the Bleu-blanc-noir played there, in 2017, it managed a 1-1 draw.
“I think it’ll be a good experience for the group to play somewhere like that this early in the season,” added Lovitz. “I just think it’s important to go in there with the intention of winning. We’ll learn what we can from the experience and try to come out with the three points.”
