MONTREAL – You can very well not make headlines and have had a great game nonetheless.
The likes of Nacho Piatti, Evan Bush and Dominic Oduro deserve the many plaudits that have come their way since the Impact’s 3-2 win at Vancouver on Sunday.
But this Tuesday, head coach Mauro Biello took an opportunity to praise another important, if more unassuming, member of the winning XI in B.C.: midfielder Eric Alexander.
“He was excellent,” Biello said. “I think Eric Alexander played a great game. He lost very few balls. He was very good in possession as well as defensively. He did exactly what I wanted in front of the defence alongside Marco Donadel. He always covered the full backs when they pushed forward. We stopped many Vancouver counters thanks to their work.”
After two 34-game, 30-start seasons in New York in 2013 and 2014, Alexander was traded from the Red Bulls to Montreal during the offseason and played a mere 20 games (10 starts) last year.
Considering the reliability and workrate he displayed on Sunday, Alexander seems determined to revitalize his Montreal career.
“You look at Eric Alexander’s career record, and he’s had success,” Biello said. “He was part of a New York team that won the regular season. He played many minutes, assisted many goals. He brings that experience. He regained confidence. During preseason, he was focused. He was on a mission to win his spot back. He showed me that he deserved it, and he did well. I’m happy with what he’s done, and hopefully he can carry on like this.”
