Impact vs. Rapids Preview by Chris Brown
April 30, 2016 – Colorado Rapids travel north of the border to take on Didier Drogba and Montreal Impact.
Both teams are in fine form as Montreal sit in first in first place in the Eastern Conference and Colorado sit in second place in the West have won four of their last five games.
Montreal is 7-2-2 when Didier Drogba is playing. (Photo Credit: Kari Heistad)
Colorado comes in to the match on a full week of rest following last Saturday’s victory of Seattle Sounders while Montreal will play on just a few days rest following Wednesday’s match against New York City FC.
Montreal salvaged a draw during that midweek match after a Didier Drogba free kick from the right flank was headed home by Dominic Oduro in the 91st minute.
Last Saturday Montreal lost at home to Canadian rival Toronto FC in a game that featured a Sebastian Giovinco brace.
On recent form Colorado has had been better winning their last three matches. In last Saturday’s win over Seattle Colorado’s offense truly bloomed for the first time in 2016. The 3-1 score line over Seattle could have been more impressive if Shkelzen Gashi had converted a second half penalty.
Didier Drogba will be the key player for Montreal. The Ivory Coast international helped propel Montreal at the end of the 2015 season and in the games he’s played this season he’s look impressive. Drogba sat out several games earlier this season opting not to play on turf in an effort to preserve the health of his knees. Montreal is 7-2-2 when Drogba is playing in the side and Colorado know they need to shut him down if they want success in Canada.
Colorado center back Axel Sjoberg’s comments this week reinforced the need to shut down the ex-Chelsea man. “It’s a lot making sure he [Drogba] doesn’t get the ball in the first place. Because once he has the ball he’s good at creating trouble. So doubling up when we need to, just bodying him up as best we can and making sure he doesn’t get the time and space he wants.”
Colorado has lost a handful of defenders to injury so far in 2016. Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni is without Marlon Hairston, Sean St. Ledger, Eric Miller, Jared Watts and possibly Marc Burch. Both Burch and Miller sustained injuries last Saturday but there is a chance Burch could play and Jared Watts is close to a return as well. Without a full selection to choose from finding a lineup to deal with Drogba’s strength and skill on the ball will be difficult.
Jermaine Jones heading the ball in for his second goal of the season against Seattle. (Photo Credit: Corbin Elliott)
For Montreal, the player they’ll need to focus on shutting down in Jermaine Jones. Since making his debut two weeks ago against New York Red Bulls, Jones has been electric for the Rapids. Jones has scored a goal in each of his first two games and provided an assist on the game winning goal against the Red Bulls.
Jones will likely play in the number ten role as he has in his first two starts, especially as midfielder Marco Pappa is still out with an MCL injury. Jones background as a defensive midfielder allows Colorado to press high up the pitch and to win the ball back in dangerous positions. Jones strength and calmness on the ball lets him hold up play and bring his teammates into the attacking half, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Montreal put two men on him in an attempt to keep Jones from linking defense and attack together.
Jermaine Jones and Didier Drogba fighting for the ball in 2015. (Photo Credit: Kari Heistad)
Last week Kevin Doyle made his return for Colorado, after missing several weeks with a horrific gash in his shin sustained while playing for Ireland, and the forward promptly scored his first goal of the season. It will be interesting to see whether Pablo gives the Irish international the start or whether Luis Solignac, who is enjoying a fine spell of form, will retain his place in the starting eleven. If Solignac does start, expect to see Doyle, who may not yet have the fitness for a full 90 minutes, come in off the bench around the 60 minute mark.
Colorado Rapids
Montreal Impact
