The Montreal Impact will host the San Jose Earthquakes in a crucial match at Stade Saputo on Wednesday night, and their most accomplished player will reportedly not be in the starting lineup.
Montreal striker Didier Drogba will not be in the starting XI for Wednesday’s match (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE), according to RDS reporter Patrick Friolet. Wednesday’s match is the Impact’s second in a three-game in eight-day stretch.
Drogba, 38, has 10 goals and five assists in 21 games this year, 18 of which have been starts. The Ivorian has started seven of the Impact’s last eight matches, scoring a goal in both their 3-1 loss against New England on Sept. 17 and 4-1 loss against Orlando on Sept. 7. Those are his only two goals since he notched a hat trick against Philadelphia on July 23.
Somewhat shockingly, Montreal have a much better record this season when Drogba does not start.
With Drogba |
Stat |
Without Drogba |
|---|---|---|
18 |
Games |
12 |
16.7% |
Win % |
50% |
.9 |
Points/Game |
1.8 |
The Impact, who declined to comment on the report, are winless in their last four matches and have lost their last two games. They currently sit in fifth-place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of seventh-place New England for the conference’s final playoff spot.
Matteo Mancosu or Dominic Oduro are the likely players to replace the Ivorian striker. Mancosu has been stellar in limited minutes (535 total), registering three goals and three assists. Oduro would provide a speed option up top who has produced this year (4g, 6a) but has started just two games over the last two months.
Fantasy players who were expecting Drogba to play in both games this week should be wary of picking him up now that he may not be a double-game week player.
