Centre-back last played against Atlanta on April 28
The Impact community hasn’t had much of a chance to get to know one of its newer centre-backs, Rudy Camacho. The 27-year-old joined the Bleu-blanc-noir in late March and started three consecutive games with the team before small injuries sidelined him.
Now, with Jukka Raitala serving with the Finland national team this weekend, he’s set to make an entrance against one of the Western Conference’s top teams.
“The idea was to get him back into top shape, so that when he did play, he’d be in complete control of his abilities, and I think right now that is the case,” said head coach Rémi Garde. “He worked very hard the last two weeks, and I’m seeing a Rudy who can’t wait to play, and who showed at training that he’s confident in his means.”
If Rudy were to make the start, he would come in next to Rod Fanni, the veteran French defender who also joined the Impact this year, and who already has nine starts under his belt.
“I feel ready to play,” said Camacho. “Physically I’ve regained all my strength, and I feel good. It’s great playing next to Rod. He has experience and he brings stability to the team. I’m just excited to play again and experience competition. “
The Bleu-blanc-noir will be looking to continue its play from last week’s game, when the Raitala-Fanni tandem in central defense was essential to shutting down the Houston Dynamo at Stade Saputo.
“We have confidence in him,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “He came in here with the idea that this would be his position. Him and Rod together should be able to figure it out. It’ll be a challenge for Rudy to step in and be at the level we were at last game, but we have the confidence that he can do that.”
A centre-back by trade, Camacho played in Belgium’s first division before signing a four-year deal with the Bleu-blanc-noir. His qualities make him a good partner for Rod Fanni, since the two play a bit of a different game.
“He’s a defender who anticipates a lot, a little more than Rod,” explained Garde. “His ability to bring the ball out from the back is interesting as well, and something we can count on moving forward.”
The game in Dallas is set for this Saturday, June 9, at 8pm EDT (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). The team will then come back to Montreal for a weekday game against Orlando City SC on Wednesday, June 13, at 7:30pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690).
