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The Impact in Orlando: moderate concern

In the aftermath of the withdrawal from FC Dallas, many of whose players are infected with the coronavirus, the members of the Montreal eleven are trying not to worry too much.

COVID-19, admet Samuel Piette lors d'une visioconférence mardi. Mais ce n’est qu’une seule des équipes qui sont présentes ici. On entend qu’il y a des cas dans d’autres équipes, il y a beaucoup de rumeurs. ","text":"Évidemment, on lit ce qui s’écrit et on entend ce qui se dit, que Dallas est lourdement touché par la COVID-19, admet Samuel Piette lors d'une visioconférence mardi. Mais ce n’est qu’une seule des équipes qui sont présentes ici. On entend qu’il y a des cas dans d’autres équipes, il y a beaucoup de rumeurs. "}}" lang="fr">Obviously, we read what is written and we hear what is said, that Dallas is heavily affected by COVID-19, admits Samuel Piette during a videoconference Tuesday. But this is only one of the teams that are present here. We hear that there are cases in other teams, there are many rumors.

In ours, it is sure that we are worried about this, but we have not been in contact with Dallas and we are tested every two days, as it was the case yesterday, adds the Repentignois. Everything seems fine for us, so we don’t worry about it until there are a few cases in our team.

Piette says he did not think about withdrawing from the tournament, as Carlos Vela of Los Angeles FC did on Monday. His wife is pregnant, but well surrounded by his family in Montreal. And with the protocol in place in Orlando, the team is alone on the floor of its hotel, concerns are moderate.

We are not necessarily afraid, but we do not intentionally leave our rooms. In Montreal, we are a little more free, we can see our families. Here we are isolated. I am not complaining. I can’t wait to play soccer and it starts. It’s fun to be out there and see the guys. But, obviously, it’s not like a normal regular season.

Samuel Piette

The Impact is indeed far from normal, even that the routine in the Disney kingdom is not so magical.

It is going relatively well, but these are not ideal conditions, explains the 25-year-old midfielder. Training at 8 a.m., since my arrival with the club, we’ve never done that, so it’s very early. I know you have to adapt. When you arrive on the ground, it’s already 30 degrees, it’s quite difficult.

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Samuel Piette

Photo : USA Today Sports

Harsh spring for Wanyama

Victor Wanyama is happy that the past few months have passed. Arrived with the club just before the pandemic, he said he had experienced difficult moments during confinement.

It was very difficult, said the Kenyan. You arrive with a new team, you play a game and the pandemic arrives. It was a very tough time, but I had to stay positive and stay in shape.

This forced isolation in Florida is an excellent opportunity for him to meet work colleagues with whom he had not really had time to get acquainted.

I try to speak with my teammates to get to know them better, says the 29-year-old. I spend time in the game room with them, we play games. Otherwise, I watch TV in my room. I try to stay busy.

An unpredictable tournament

It is therefore Thursday evening that Thierry Henry’s men will start the revival tournament called MLS is Back. They will then face the New England Revolution they defeated 2-1 at the Olympic stadium on February 29.

But it is very perilous to try to predict what will happen during this next match.

Their tactics may have completely changed, says Samuel Piette. We can’t watch videos to watch opposing teams, so we have to focus on ourselves, work hard and do our best on the field when the tournament starts to try to advance to the playoffs. But it’s impossible for me to predict who has the best chance. We all leave with the same probabilities of success.

It’s completely unknown. A tournament in a format of seven games maximum, including three in the group stage, things go extremely quickly. Me, each year, it takes me about two to three games to find my rhythm and my bearings. So it’s going fast, it’s possible that we face a team that is having a bad day and that this is our case during the next match.

Samuel Piette

Victor Wanyama is still learning to discover his entourage, but he seems to like the potential and the chances of the Impact.

We have a coach who is young in the business after a great career and we can learn from him, says Wanyama about Thierry Henry. It’s an advantage. I think we have a good group of young players. Technically, there are several who are very gifted. It’s only a matter of time before we click and we can create surprises.

A force in the midfield

After more than 150 games in the English first division, with Southampton and Tottenham, Wanyama will significantly improve the game of his new team. At least that’s what his bosses want, but the guy of 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) does not feel pressure on his shoulders.

I have been playing soccer for a very long time, I know what I have to do and I have nothing to prove. I only want to help my team. I have no pressure. I want to go out there, have fun, play football, help my teammates and do my job.

Victor Animals

Certainly, the Bleu-blanc-noir now counts on a better core in the middle of the field than in the past. And observers are anxious to find out how Coach Henry will play to his advantage.

He smiles behind his microphone

Victor Wanyama at press conference

Photo: Radio-Canada

I can’t reveal how we’re going to play on Thursday night, but Victor’s arrival brings experience, a lot of weight, strength and calm, especially in midfield, says Piette. You have to take advantage of it. So my role could change a little. The lineup could change from match to match in the midfield.

Whether it’s me, Wayne, Saphir (Taïder), Amar (Sejdic), who played games at the start of the season… Bojan (Krkic) can play there, so we have a lot of options. It’s one of the good things for coaches to be able to mix it up a bit.

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