VANCOUVER, B.C. - Didier Drogba may have dominated the headlines in the buildup to the Montreal's season opener in Vancouver, but the Impact were keen to show they shouldn't be considered a one-man team.
Led by the impressive Ignacio Piatti, they managed that in some style, shocking the BC Place crowd with a 3-2 win over the Whitecaps, and making a statement that delighted manager Mauro Biello.
"Obviously Didier, we can't take away what he brought to the team last year," Biello told reporters after the match. "He's a superstar, but I stress the importance of everyone on this team and the roles that they play and the responsibilities they have. Each one of them is important.
"When they get their opportunity to perform, it's about moments and it's about being good in those moments. We have to have a mindset that is shared and ready to fight and with the quality of players that we have, we feel we have a balanced attack and when Didier comes back, it's only going to help us more."
Montreal supporters are already dreaming of just how potent their attack can be after the club turned in an impressive offensive display on Sunday to see off a challenge from their Canadian rivals and start the season with a bang.
"In this league, it's so hard to win on the road," Biello added. "We wanted to come here and have a good performance and be able to build upon what we've been working on. The guys fought hard out there, but we were able to produce and score goals and in the end we were able to hold them off."
Piatti, the Impact captain, was a thorn in the Whitecaps' side all night, scoring two goals and assisting on Dominic Oduro's and Biello was left raving about his contribution in the win.
"I thought Piatti was exceptional," Biello said of the influential Argentine. "It was probably one of the best games I've seen him play. He was so good on the ball. Like everyone he pulled off. Every time someone came, he dribbled. At different times he made it look easy.
"To be able to score two goals like that, on the road, was great. He's a first-class player. When he plays like that, it's hard to defend."
