Victory is sweet
Saturday was a special day. The Bleu-blanc-noir, after spending the week training in St. Petersburg, Florida, played the third game of its preseason schedule against an MLS side, the Philadelphia Union. Although it was a friendly meant to prepare both clubs for the start of the regular season, less than two weeks away, you can tell the message was clear within the dressing room: we wanted a win.
It was a very constricted affair, both teams stingy defensively. It was Maximiliano Urruti who finally broke through. After a nice set of passes between Micheal Azira and Bacary Sagna on the right flank, the French international sent in a cross to the first post for the Argentine, who delightfully flicked it past the ‘keeper for his first goal in a Bleu-blanc-noir uniform. The Impact was able to hold on after that and seal the deal.
After the final whistle, some players went back to Al Lang Stadium to watch Wayne Rooney and D.C. United take on the hometown club, the Tampa Bay Rowdies. That one finished 1-0 as well, in favour of the Washington side.
Others stayed back, because their families were arriving! A bus pulled up to the hotel around 8:30pm, and one by one, the players’ and coaching staff’s loved ones filed out. Hugs, kisses, smiles were abundant.
Sunday is a day off. It will be time to recover, and we’re back to the grind bright and early on Monday.
