By Luis Martinez (Twitter: @canadaluis)
This is the 2nd matchup for these two clubs in this 2016 MSL season. Columbus crew lost their last match against Seattle Sounders and are looking for a victory on their home turf in Mapfre Stadium with their fans cheering for them.
The head coach and sporting director, Gregg Berhalter mentioned this past week :
“I think Drogba is a world-class player, and I think we have to be very very careful with him.”
The rest of the Columbus Crew believe they will be facing off against an IMFC that are playing differently then their last encounter thanks to the return of Drogba.
For example, Federico Higuain, the midfielder of the black and gold, adds that this Saturday is important to show the fans they are a good team, excited to be back at home and eager to show their fans they are better than their current standing.
Mauro Biello’s team did not forget last November 8, a day when Crew eliminates IMFC in the semi-final of the Eastern Conference.
On this point, the IMFC captain, Patrice Bernier, iterates that the past needs to stay in the past, and the focus should be on the present and play differently with or without Drogba, especially since their opponents will be looking closely into every move Dorgba makes.
Will IMFC be the second Canadian team to win on this Saturday, May 7, 2016? Maybe all three Canadian teams will be winners in this mother’s day weekend, with Toronto FC going against FC Dallas at the same time at BMO field.
Lineup for IMFC –
1 Bush
51 Tissot
23 Ciman
36 Cabrera
2 Oyongo
8 Bernier
33 Donadel
10 Piatti
14 Shipp
7 Oduro
11 Drogba
Substitutes: Kronberg, Lefebvre, Gagnon-Lapare, Bekker, Venegas, Ontivero, Salazar
Lineup for Crew SC –
1 Clark
25 Afful
4 Parhurst
2 Wahl
3 Ashe
20 Trapp
8 Saeid
13 Finlay
10 Higuain
9 Meram
23 Kamara
Substitutes: Stuver, Sauro, Francis, Cedrick, Jimenez, Saravia, Kamara
