It’s been a wildly up and down season for both Columbus Crew South Carolina and the Montreal Impact, but they’ve both found their way into the conference semifinals.
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Montreal’s opponent, on the other hand, had a bye through the knockout round and haven’t played in a week, so the Crew will be well rested and the Impact… will not be.
“I think we’re more confident [than a month or two ago], but I’m not sure there’s an answer [for Drogba]”, Berhalter said. “He’s one guy that we should really want to watch out for”.
“He’s probably going to do that and get back to me”. Goalkeeper Steve Clark has played every minute of every regular-season game for the past two seasons…. “No doubt about it. But will I bring him back? No”.
Drogba, 37, is busy taking the MLS by storm with Montreal Impact – netting an impressive 12 goals in as many games since his arrival from Chelsea in July.
They were 2,000 short of a sellout for a 3-0 victory over Toronto FC on Thursday night in the knockout round of the playoffs, but the 18,069 who showed up were as loud as any crowd this season.
Crew captain Michael Parkhurst said the entire back-line will have to work together to stop the threat of the Ivorian.
The Impact will have their own problems stopping Columbus’ star striker. Kei Kamara tied with Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco for the league lead with 22 goals. Oduro was best man at Kamara’s wedding two years ago.
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When Dominic Oduro and Kei Kamara were drafted in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft – Kamara with the #9 pick to Columbus, Oduro #22 to FC Dallas – they struck a friendship that has lasted through the last decade despite their various travels and relocations. “He’s very athletic. He’s good in the air”. He’s very mobile, too, for his size. But for a second straight year, it draws arguably the one team no one wants to face.
