Olivier Tremblay covers the Impact on MLSsoccer.com
MONTREAL – The Impact’s superb start to 2013 in Seattle and Portland rested on sound defensive performances which they’ll want to replicate in Dallas and Houston this year. But first, head coach Frank Klopas must select his inaugural XI.
The signing of Heath Pearce on Thursday may extend Klopas’ reflection ahead of Montreal’s date with FC Dallas on Saturday. But the Impact boss, wary of the opponent’s pace and one-on-one abilities, has hinted that he’ll nominate a back four that’s fit to go for the full 90. Pearce admitting to feeling “pretty close” to 90-minute fitness on Wednesday may not be enough.
Enter, perhaps, Jeb Brovsky and Eric Miller. While pain was an issue for Brovsky during preseason, Miller was ever-present at left back. Whether Klopas wants him on that side or at his usual right back position, the rookie is keen on a debut.
“I feel pretty good about my chances right now,” Miller told MLSsoccer.com earlier this week. “Preseason went pretty well for me, and I think the coach was pleased with how I did and how I adjusted. Hopefully, over the next week, I can continue to stay into the groove and maybe get a chance to play on Saturday.”
Brovsky, for his part, jokingly but characteristically stated that he’d be ready for 105 minutes even if his nose was broken. He was, however, unable to play in preseason due to an injury which he said “baffled even the doctors,” as his fibula almost popped out of the joint where it meets his tibia. Striking a ball was thus out of the question.
Yet Brovsky could still run, and whatever discomfort on the ball that may still remain would, provided he plays in Dallas, be offset by his chemistry with Hassoun Camara and Matteo Ferrari, partners in crime of Brovsky’s a year ago in Cascadia.
“Matteo, Hassoun, myself, we’re very comfortable with each other, we know each other, so jumping into it after missing preseason would obviously be more difficult for me physically than mentally or tactically,” Brovsky told MLSsoccer.com earlier this week. “I’m just ready to go if they call my name. That’s it.”
