Impact-Galaxy Preview
The Los Angeles Galaxy have been on a lengthy break since their longest win streak of 2015 ended, and that time off could prove crucial in a matchup with Didier Drogba.
The Montreal Impact's newest star will attempt to build on his stellar first MLS start in Saturday night's visit to Los Angeles.
The Galaxy (13-8-7) will play their first game since a 1-0 loss at San Jose on Aug. 28, which ended a four-game MLS win streak and a six-game run in all competitions. During that break, they dropped two points behind Vancouver in the Supporters' Shield race and Western Conference.
With the Whitecaps not playing this weekend, Los Angeles will try to move back in front in both races with its 10th consecutive home win across all competitions. The Galaxy have outscored opponents 43-7 during that run.
They've also won six straight home games in league play but could get tested by Drogba, who scored three goals in a 4-3 victory over Chicago last Saturday. His effort helped end Montreal's three-game losing streak and four-game winless stretch.
"Montreal is a quality team, they have good players, speedy players on the wing. It's going to be a challenge. They have a world-class player in Didier Drogba," Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts told his team's official website. "But we have a belief in our team that we can fit anybody on anybody and come out on top because we have world-class players, too. It's always going to be a challenge."
The Impact (9-11-4) signed Drogba, a former Chelsea star, as a designated player in July, and he made his debut with a 31-minute stint in a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia on Aug. 22. With his help, Montreal is trying to remain in playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
The Impact, who have a one-point lead over seventh-place Philadelphia, got fellow designated player and leading goal scorer Ignacio Piatti back from a calf injury that sidelined him nearly a month. Midfielder Justin Mapp made his first start in six months last weekend after recovering from a fractured elbow, and Montreal will likely get six players back from last week's international duty.
"Now, I think that, when Laurent Ciman, (Ambroise) Oyongo and (Johan) Venegas are back, this is a very, very good team," Piatti told the league's official website. "We have to keep going to enter the playoffs. I think that, if we're all together, we can win MLS."
The Galaxy have a high-powered scorer of their own in Robbie Keane, who will try to get revved up again after scoring two goals in Ireland's European qualifying win over Gibraltar. Keane had 12 goals in his previous seven MLS contests and is among the league leaders with 15.
Keane assisted on Alan Gordon's tying goal in the 64th minute in a 2-all draw with Montreal last September, the only meeting between the clubs in 2014. The Galaxy, 1-0-2 in the series, won 1-0 in their lone home game against the Impact in 2013.
Montreal has one of the league's worst road records at 2-7-2.
Galaxy defender Leonardo is suspended for this match after receiving a red card against San Jose.