MONTREAL – Three matches in eight days means rotation within the Montreal Impact lineup.
After last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Columbus it’s not just the right back position, with Jeb Brovsky suspended after his red card, that could see change this Saturday at Red Bull Arena. As it turns out, the midfield might see some movement, too.
Québécois midfielder Patrice Bernier stayed on the Crew Stadium grass for 45 minutes before being replaced by Collen Warner, and it looks like the doors are wide open for Warner to play in Bernier’s position this Saturday (4 pm ET; TSN/RDS in Canada, MLS Live in US).
“We may make a couple of changes,” Marsch told reporters on Tuesday. “We’re just looking at each game individually and the week as a whole to try and see how to handle it the best way, to give ourselves the best chance to get as many points as possible.”
As far as specific changes, Warner has the obvious advantage of 45 minutes of MLS play this year under his belt compared to midfield colleagues such as Bryan Arguez or Sinisa Ubiparipovic. Marsch has already stated he was confident Warner’s playing style would fit in with his current tactical approach.
Warner agrees.
“I felt OK, it was kind of trying circumstances to come into a match like that, with us being down a man and a goal,” Warner admitted. “But yeah, it was fun, I was happy to get those first minutes. Jesse said he was going to throw a few more guys into the rotation, so everybody’s going to be ready and I think a few more guys are going to get called on in the games coming.”
While there is no question Bernier remains very much a key component of Marsch’s roster, the 32-year-old’s early withdrawal could probably be explained by the fact that he gave possession back to the Crew nine times during the first half on Saturday. It must be said, though, that despite noticeable disappointment, he has not asked for any explanation from Marsch.
“No, we haven’t talked about it,” the Brossard, Quebec, native admitted. “When choices are made, there are no questions to be asked. It’s like when a referee makes a call: He’s not going to change it. We had to move on, there was a game to be drawn or won.”
HIGHLIGHTS: CLB 2, MTL0
