MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact came bursting out of the gate this season and it looks like they’ll be getting even more help on the pitch on Saturday night. Star strikerDidier Drogba is expected to make his regular season debut when the Impact travel to take on FC Dallas (9 pm ET; MLS LIVE - no blackouts).
Drogba, 38, has been training with Sacramento Republic FC of the United Soccer League (USL) while the Impact have been playing and training on turf surfaces, with home games at Montreal's Olympic Stadium through April 9.
The Impact will be playing their first game on grass on Saturday and they have every intention of getting their star forward some minutes.
“It’s important for [Drogba] to get minutes,” head coach Mauro Biello told reporters ahead of the team's trip to Dallas. “We’ll decide if he’ll start or come off the bench. He’s been working hard for this and he’s an important player for us. At some point [on Saturday] we’ll see him on the field.”
The Ivorian made an immediate impact on the field last year. He scored a hat trick in his first start and he finished his first year in MLS with 11 goals in 11 regular-season games, plus another goal in three playoff appearances.
The Impact haven’t missed a beat without their star finisher, going 2-0-0 to start the season, and can be patient in terms of getting him back into the lineup and to full match fitness. Drogba joined the Impact for the second part of their training camp in Florida and he suited up for just one preseason game.
“It’s normal that he’s not at 100 percent because he’s had just three weeks of training,” added Biello. “He’s someone that brings a certain leadership to our group and presence to the field.”
When he does return, Drogba will join a formidable attacking corps including Ignacio Piatti, Harry Shipp and Dominic Oduro. That group has helped the Impact score six goals in two games without Drogba, but there’s no doubt they’re better with him on the pitch.
“He’s an excellent player,” said Piatti, per Montreal's website. “I don’t know how he’s feeling. Mauro will talk to him, figure out whether he makes the starting lineup or if he comes off the bench. But Didier coming back in the group is very important.”
