WASHINGTON ā D.C. United captain Bobby Boswell says his side is preparing both for life with and without Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba in Thursdayās Knockout Round clash in the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Meanwhile, United head coach Ben Olsen believes the two options arenāt that different, at least when it comes to his team's preparation.
Drogba hasnāt played for the Impact since September, amidst a feud with Montreal manager Mauro Biello over playing time. After removing himself from the substitute's bench before a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC on Oct. 16, the superstar cited back issues for keeping him out of training ahead of Sundayās regular season finale defeat to New England.
But if the Ivory Coast international and former Chelsea striker does make what increasingly seems to be an unlikely return to the pitch Thursday, Boswell insists his side will be ready.
āWeāve looked at lineups with him in it, weāve looked at lineups with him not in it,ā Boswell said Tuesday. āI donāt know what their team belief is with or without him, but people make a lot of points about the results with or without him. I think for me, heās still a world-class player. He can change a game on his own. So you have to prepare for that.ā
Boswellās hunch is that Drogba remains out. Olsen insists he isnāt losing sleep over it.
āWho knows? You know what I mean?ā Olsen said. āWe know who he is. We know where heās going to play, what position, and the areas on the field heās going to be at. Heās a different player than [forward Matteo] Mancosu, but I donāt think much is going to change if they swap one for the other. So the way we go about the game isnāt going to change.ā
Despite scoring 10 goals in 22 appearances this season, Drogba had been used in a reserve role twice in four matches in September before being kept off Orlando City SCās turf entirely on Oct. 2. That absence was expected, but Drogba reacted furiously when he was again out of the Starting XI two weeks later ā although it appeared like the situation had been resolved.
D.C. forward Patrick Mullins said he could understand the emotions behind Drogbaās actions.
āAs a forward, you want to be on the field, you want to be scoring goals and opportunities if you can,ā Mullins said. āSo thereās always a little frustration if youāre not on the field. And, you know, each individual has to deal with it in their own way.ā