Raitala seeks return to starting lineup
As the Montreal Impact enjoy their week off from Major League Soccer play, one player is still trying to get back into Rémi Garde’s starting 11.
“Injuries or suspensions happen, then someone else gets a chance and (they) have to take that,” Finnish defender Jukka Raitala said. “We’ll see what’s going to happen next week, but I feel very good and ready to show what I can (do).”
Raitala has yet to play in a game this season for the Impact (2-0-1). He started 25 games last year and played all over the back line as an injury to Zakaria Diallo and the departures of Wandrille Lefèvre and Hassoun Camara tested the team’s depth. The Finn battled knee and groin injuries during the Impact’s training camp and missed three pre-season games.
“It’s never a good moment to get an injury,” Raitala said. “That was tough.” Fortunately for Raitala, he’s been afforded time to heal during this week’s international break and said he feels “excellent.”
Montreal does not play again until March 30 at Sporting Kansas City. The Impact will be trying to extend their strong early-season form but won’t have Diallo, who drew a red card in last week’s 3-1 road victory over Orlando City.
WHO’S AT PRACTICE?
The Impact were missing many bodies at practice throughout the week as five players were away on international duty and some veterans were given time off to rest.
Midfielder Samuel Piette and defender Zachary Brault- Guillard are away for Canada, midfielder Saphir Taïder is with Algeria and defender Daniel Lovitz is with the United States squad. Orji Okwonkwo is away with Nigeria’s under-23 team
for their African Cup of Nations tournament.
“It’s not the same, but we have to deal with it,” Impact midfielder Micheal Azira said. “Just try to go out there and put in some work and try to enjoy it.”
KROLICKI BACK ON THE FIELD
Impact midfielder Ken Krolicki, 23, rejoined his teammates this week after sustaining a dislocated right elbow during a pre-season game against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in late February.
At the time of the injury, he was expected to miss six weeks. He joined the team at the Marie-Victorin Complex Wednesday and practised on his own at Centre Nutrilait Thursday morning.
Fellow midfielder Micheal Azira was happy to see Krolicki back at practice and said he and his teammates will try their best to keep his spirits up.
“It was nice to have him back in the team,” Azira said. “We need everyone on the team to be back to have a good group as we had at the beginning (of the season).”
MCINERNEY RETURNS
This week, the Impact brought back a familiar face on a trial.
Forward Jack McInerney joined Montreal in 2014 and suited up for the team for 43 games, scoring 11 goals. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native was a crucial member of the Impact’s 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League run, and played in the Impact’s championship loss to Club America at Olympic Stadium.
McInerney left the Impact after the team acquired Didier Drogba. He then played for the Columbus Crew, Portland Timbers and Los Angeles Galaxy before joining the Indy Eleven of the United Soccer League. The 26-year old began his career with the Philadelphia Union in 2010.