Every team in the world wants to count on as many quality players as possible at every position. But every team cannot reach this roster composition Eldorado, especially in MLS, with its demanding roster and budget rules.
And yet, five games into the season, the Impact is showing admirable versatility and depth. Despite some adjustments from one game to the other, the team has reached the top of the Eastern Conference.
“I want everyone to understand that we’re putting principles into place for everyone to follow and that everyone’s important,” said head coach Mauro Biello. “There will be injuries, suspensions, international dates. Everyone has to be ready. Right now, we have this competition that I like. It’ll be more difficult for me to make decisions. Still, if players are ready to push and work every day, we can have success.
“It brings us a lot of confidence. Instead of getting discouraged with the loss of such and such player, we rather tell ourselves that someone else is ready to go. We have this mentality within the group, and it can help us.”
Against Columbus, for example, Kyle Bekker did a formidable job once again next to Eric Alexander in midfield, while Marco Donadel was recovering from a leg injury. (Donadel did return to full training with the team on Monday.)
Hassoun Camara, for his part, made his third start of the season at right fullback. After scoring the winning goal, Camara made way for Ambroise Oyongo, who provided a decisive cross on an insurance goal scored, conveniently enough, by Kyle Bekker.
“We have a group,” said Camara. “When Ambroise plays, I just as happy as if I were playing. He recorded a fine assist, and I was very happy on the bench. In the end, we’ll get there as a group. I can tell you that a player like Didier [Drogba] or Nacho [Piatti] is just as important as a Jérémy [Gagnon-Laparé]. That’s just the way it is. We work on this all every day. We’ll reach our objectives if we stay together in everything that we do.”
Biello’s glad to be able to count on a wealth of different options, but knowing how to use those is key. Again, this has been a success so far, and not just when it comes to choosing starters. Among the substitutes that Biello has called upon this season, three have already scored or assisted a goal – Oyongo, Johan Venegas and Anthony Jackson-Hamel.
“I have choices,” said Biello. “They’re different. They all bring something that can help the team.”
