Breaking down the Impact’s backline
It was a bit of a new look defensive unit that hit the field last Saturday for the Impact’s season opener, but it wasn’t too different; Bacary Sagna, who joined the team in July last season, occupied the right flank, while freshly capped American international Daniel Lovitz manned the left. But in central defense, it was Zakaria Diallo making his first start in Bleu-blanc-noir, alongside club veteran Victor Cabrera.
The big French centre-back missed the entire 2018 season due to injury but looks set to secure his starting position in Garde’s 11 this year, already earning a spot on the MLS Team of the Week.
“His style is a little different than what we had with Rod [Fanni], but players adapt,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “The tandem he formed with Victor as well was very good. Victor, we know, is a warrior on the field, which complements Zac’s ability to start the play and move forward. It’s working well, and everyone knows I have options in this part of the field.”
It’s not like it was everyone’s first time seeing Diallo on the field. The centre-back starred in the entire training camp last year and was one of the players who saw the most playing time in this year’s preseason games as well.
“We all knew his quality and that he would be professional in his rehabilitation,” said defender Daniel Lovitz. “I think everyone saw that in the game. He was incredibly comfortable, poised, and made a lot of good plays for us offensively. I never thought I’d see him that far up the field but there he was. He delivered an incredible pass and we were able to score.”
Experience on the flanks
On both sides of our central defenders were Daniel Lovitz and Bacary Sagna. Lovitz, who started almost every game for the Bleu-blanc-noir in the left-back position last year, has come a long way since he joined the club for a trial at its 2017 training camp.
Since then, he’s started 51 games for the Impact, even scoring his first MLS goal in 2018. His good play earned him his first call-up to the American national team in January.
“Dan has progressed so much,” said midfielder Saphir Taïder. “Going to play for the national side always gives a player confidence. I get along really well with him on the left side, with Nacho as well. More than anything, we like making passing plays together. It worked well last year, and it is again this year.”
And then on the right, a household name, Bacary Sagna. The pedigree speaks for itself.
“There’s not much you need to say about him,” added Lovitz. “You know he’ll do the job and be an incredible force on the backline. I just try to follow everyone’s lead, pick my moments to do what I do, and hopefully help the team win.”
But it isn’t just the backline carrying the defensive workload. With Garde’s defensive block organized and in place, the Impact should be one of the harder teams to beat defensively in 2019.
