MONTREAL – Jeb Brovsky has a message for his former teammates: We will not be pushovers.
The 23-year-old, who the Montreal Impact selected from the Vancouver Whitecaps in last November's Expansion Draft, is expecting an energetic and well-contested game on Saturday between the Canadian clubs (6 pm ET; TSN/RDS in Canada, MLS Live in US).
Basing his analysis on the Impact’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Whitecaps last month in Orlando, Brovsky feels his side are more than ready to take the momentum away from a team that has been flying high.
“The spirit was there, and obviously the result was not, but we did not look too much into that result,” Brovsky told reporters after training on Wednesday. “We just looked at how we progressed over preseason. I think we’re up for a battle.”
The American defender is also of the opinion that, because of the nature of the squad, there will be more of the same coming for other opponents of the Impact.
“We are, first and foremost, a blue-collar team that is going to push every team it plays and let it know that we’re in for a dogfight,” Brovsky stated. “And we also love to play the beautiful game, so we are going to put on a show for sure.”
The question is whether Brovsky will be a part of that “we” on Saturday or not. Head coach Jesse Marsch didn't address that question directly, though he did drop hints.
“He knows Camilo, who he could be matched up against, so I think that’s an advantage,” Marsch told reporters of Brovsky.
The former 'Cap made it clear, though, that he was holding no grudge against his former teammates.
“It’s going to be fun playing those guys again," he said. "[Eric] Hassli taking a crack at me down in Florida reminded me of practice. They are competitors. We are looking forward to playing them. They're all my buddies, that’s for sure.”
Notes
Italian defender Matteo Ferrari was given a day off by the Impact staff ahead of Saturday’s game.
Colombian defender Nelson Rivas, meanwhile, has made good progress according to Marsch, but is still not ready to go.
“His commitment to the rehab has been very good, and we know that when he comes back, he’ll be stronger than ever,” Marsch said.
GET TICKETS to Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Montreal Impact, Saturday, March 10, 2012, 6 pm ET at BC Place
