Recovery key as Impact has little rest before MLS semifinal against Columbus

MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact didn’t have much time to enjoy their one-sided win over Toronto FC in the MLS playoffs.

There were a few laughs and a Didier Drogba-led African dance in the dressing room after the game and then they had to turn their minds to the Columbus Crew, the team they will face in a two-game, total-goals semifinal starting Sunday night at Saputo Stadium. The return leg is Nov. 8 in Columbus.

“It’s a quick turnover, but I can’t say we’re not used to it because it’s been like that for a month and half,” coach Mauro Biello said Friday. “The main thing is getting recovered 100 per cent.

“The next two days will be about that and hopefully we’ll be ready to go on Sunday.”

The Impact became the first Canadian-based MLS club to win a playoff game when they downed TFC 3-0 on Thursday night in the single-game knockout round.

The third-place Impact now face second-place Columbus, a team they outscored 5-1 in two victories during the regular season. They they haven’t played each other since a 3-0 win at home on July 11.

The Crew got stronger as the season progressed and capped the regular season with a 2-0 win in Toronto and a 5-0 shellacking of D.C. United, despite missing star players Kei Kamara and Federico Higuain to suspensions.

As Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore were for TFC, Kamara and Higuain represent major scoring threats for Columbus. Kamara has 22 goals this season.

Impact captain Patrice Bernier said the Crew stars present different challenges.

“Giovinco likes to stay more up front while Higuain likes to move a lot more,” said Bernier. “He likes to be part of it from the build-up to the finishing touch.

“He’s sometimes in midfield and sometimes up front. Kei is a big, physical presence and I think he’s a little more mobile than Jozy. But they have a lot of other players also. I think of Ethan Fidlay on the right wing who takes advantage of those players. But like we were prepared for TFC, we’ll be prepared for Columbus.”

Montreal responds with Drogba, the veteran striker who has 12 goals in as many games since joining the Impact in the summer, and gifted midfielder Ignacio Piatti, who had a goal and an assist against Toronto.

Piatti was the Impact’s best player in its run to the CONCACAF Champions League final in the spring and, after a mid-season letdown, looks to have found new enthusiasm since Drogba started playing regularly in September. Montreal is 8-2-2 since then.

“Today we recuperate, but if it was up to me we’d play again (Saturday) because, in my head, I’m focused and I want to play,” said Piatti.

The Impact had some games postponed to let them rest for CONCACAF matches early in the season, so the final two months were busy.

Rest is key because several Montreal starters are older. Drogba is 37, Bernier is 36, Nigel Reo-Coker, 31, Marco Donadel, 32.

But Bernier sees fatigue as a state of mind.

“We’ve been playing on a consistent basis every Wednesday and Saturday so we’re accustomed to it,”said Bernier. “And Mauro has tested the depth of the lineup.

“Everyone concerned has played minutes, so they all know that if they’re called upon they’re ready. We’ve shown we are competitive no matter what the 11 is on the field. And this the playoffs. It’s mental. If you’re not ready, raise your hand because I’m sure there’s someone else ready to go.”