CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy have every reason to feel less than ideal entering Saturday’s game in Montreal against the Impact at Saputo Stadium (5 p.m., TWC SportsNet). Two reasons, actually.
Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes, who have combined for eight goals and five assists, are away with their respective national teams (Ireland and the United States). But head coach Bruce Arena didn’t sound overly concerned at having to move on without two of his top offensive threats.“We’re all missing players. It’s not an excuse,” he said.
Besides, the Galaxy have been getting strong performances lately from the likes of Giovani Dos Santos (five goals and five assists, both team highs) and Steven Gerrard, who has come on strong after recovering from a strained calf. Mike Magee also has four goals and four assists in spot-starting duty.
So if anyone thinks the Galaxy are in dire straits without two of their leading performers, think again.
“It’s a challenge,” Arena said, referring to the player absences. “It’s also a good opportunity for other players. As awkward as it is, the whole process, there’s potential for some benefits from it as well.”
Said defender A.J. DeLaGarza, “I think we’ve lost players to injury, international duties, suspensions … and Bruce changing the lineups. It’s something we worked on in the off-season in improving the 18 and beyond that.
“There are guys that can step in seamlessly. We’re going to have the same philosophy and mentality and go in there and try to get three points.”
The Galaxy (5-1-5, 20 points), who are unbeaten in nine games (4-0-5) and have not lost on the road since March 12 in Colorado, will be facing an Impact (4-4-4, 16 points) side that is dealing with their own player absences. Reigning MLS Defender of the Year Laurent Ciman was called up by Belgium for the upcoming European Championships, which begin June 10. Left back Ambroise Oyongo left to join Cameroon’s national team for games against France and Mauritania. Defender Donny Toia hasn’t played since mid-April because of a sore hamstring and defender Victor Cabrera has been hobbled by a calf injury.
But Montreal does boast a dangerous attack that features Argentinian midfielder Ignacio Piatti (seven goals and two assists) and forward Dominic Oduro, who DeLaGarza said might be MLS’ fastest player. And this week feared striker Didier Drogba, who has been bothered by a strained hip flexor, returned to practice and could be available this weekend.
“I would anticipate that he plays,” Arena said of Drogba. “I think you could argue Piatti has been as good as any player in the league. You could argue Drogba’s as good as any striker in the league.
“That’s enough said.”
Magee said he is confident the Galaxy will be fine despite a short-handed roster.
“When you’re with the Galaxy, you hardly notice,” he said. “There are so many guys that deserve to play, and young guys that haven’t gotten many minutes. I’ve been on teams that when you lose one player it feels like the sky’s falling.
“But here it’s a great atmosphere, we have a lot of depth and nothing changes.”
Montreal Impact vs. LA Galaxy
Stade Saputo, Montreal, Quebec
MAY 28, 2016 (WEEK 13, MLS GAME #127)
8 pm ET (MLS LIVE, TWCSN-LA, TWC-Deportes)
- Ignacio Piatti scored his third goal in the last three games, but the Impact saw their streak of four consecutive draws put to an end, having now not won in their last six games overall, following their 2-1 defeat at Orlando City SC on Saturday evening.
- The Galaxy extended their overall undefeated streak to nine games and remained undefeated at StubHub Center this season, reaching a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday evening.
- The teams have reached draws each of the last two seasons, a scoreless draw last Sept. 12 at StubHub Center, and a 2-2 draw in 2014, the first match ever between the teams at Stade Saputo.
- The Galaxy have the only victory in the four meetings all-time between the clubs, a 1-0 triumph in 2013 at StubHub Center. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in their first meeting, May 12, 2012 at Olympic Stadium in Montréal.
REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. AR1 (bench): Matthew Nelson; AR2 (opposite): Kermit Quisenberry; 4th: Mark Kadlecik