Impact’s two left-footed fullbacks Toia, Oyongo happy to switch sides

MONTREAL – If Donny Toia likes playing on the right side and Ambroise Oyongo prefers the left, why were the two Montreal Impact fullbacks on the opposite sides of the field last season?

It was all about continuity, coach Mauro Biello said Wednesday.

That was where they played under former coach Frank Klopas. When Biello took over the job last September and the Major League Soccer club got on a roll heading into the playoffs, he wasn’t about to tinker with two key pieces of his back line.

“Donny was having such a good year and I didn’t want to change things up because if you’re comfortable and playing well, especially on the back four, you don’t want to make too many changes,” said Biello. “I thought he was having a great year.

“There was a discussion but we decided to keep him there.”

He said training camp was the perfect time to make the switch and see if it works.

There is no reason to think it won’t.

Both Toia and Oyongo are left-footed, but 25-year-old Toia played on the right site with the defunct Chivas USA before joining the Impact last season. He was already settled into the left back slot in Montreal when Oyongo joined the club in mid-season.

“I’m definitely comfortable on the right,” said Toia. “Defending, I’m still getting used to turning the opposite way, but if I keep working on it I think I’ll be OK.

“Going forward it’s good. I like to cut in on my left foot and hopefully get some crosses in or stay on my right and get crosses in from out wide.”

The American was happy to see the entire defensive line return, including Belgian international Laurent Ciman and Argentine Victor Cabrera in the middle.

“The chemistry’s there,” he said. “The communication’s better and, even with the language barrier, just knowing the guys makes it better.”

Oyongo, a 24-year-old from Cameroon, said he has played on the left side most of his life and feels he can “bring more to the team there.”

Biello wants his fullbacks to join in the attack more often. Having a strong left foot on the same side of the field as star midfielder Ignacio Piatti is a tantalizing notion for the coach, because the Argentine likes to cut to the inside and Oyongo can support him by going up the flank.

Oyongo makes no secret that he wants to have a big year to help reach his dream of moving to a strong European club next season.

He looks to have the talent for it and the prospect of his departure at the end of the season makes it critical to develop Eric Miller, the team’s 2014 first-round draft pick. Miller, 23, is right footed but can also play on the left side.

He has just returned from a stint with the U.S. national team and will miss part of the season with the U.S. under-23 squad, with whom he is likely to be a starter at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“I like the fact that I have fullbacks that are able to play on both sides, but you always want to put them in their most comfortable positions,” said Biello. “Eric also gives us that option to play both sides.”

There is also lanky veteran Hassoun Camara, who can play right back or move into the centre.

Camara worked out with a trainer Wednesday before going for tests to see if a leg problem developed this week is serious. Cabrera and midfielder Calum Mallace stayed home with flu symptoms.