Drogba back as Impact shift training to grass field, Donadel also returns

MONTREAL – Spring has sprung, and that means the Montreal Impact can train on a grass field again and Didier Drogba can join in on the action.

The Ivory Coast striker was in the thick of it in practice on Wednesday as the Impact worked out on one of the natural pitches at the far end of their training facility. They had trained on synthetic fields until the wintry weather turned for the better this week.

“For us to practice on grass and have him on the team, everybody’s confidence is really high,” said forward Dominic Oduro. “Not that it wasn’t already, but it’s another boost for us.

“We know what he brings to the table and we’re excited to have him.”

Drogba shuns artificial turf because it wreaks havoc on his 38-year-old knees, so the author of 11 goals in as many games for Montreal last season has stayed mostly in the background through the early part of the Major League Soccer campaign.

Four of the Impact’s five first games were played on synthetic surfaces, and Drogba was restricted to 20 minutes of action in the only grass-field game in Dallas, a 2-0 loss. Despite his absence, Montreal went 3-2-0 to take first place in the Eastern Conference.

“It kind of feels good because, when the schedule came out, it looked like it was going to be tough for the first four or five games,” said Oduro. “But we were able to diffuse the whole thing.

“For us to be on top of the conference now, with the teams we’ve played so far and the discipline we showed, if we’re able to maintain that, I’m not saying it’s going to be easy but we should be able to cruise in the Eastern Conference. And now we have our leading striker back.”

Coach Mauro Biello said Drogba will be available for a game Saturday in Chicago but, because he has not trained regularly with the team, it remains uncertain how many minutes he can play.

The Chelsea legend had fans in a tizzy when he joined the Impact last summer.

He didn’t disappoint, sparking the club to a 7-2-2 finish to claim third place in the conference. He added another goal in a 3-0 playoff win over Toronto FC before Montreal lost to Columbus in a conference semifinal.

Drogba is almost certainly playing his final season and hopes to go out as a champion.

“He’s here and he wants to have a great season,” said defender Hassoun Camara.

Biello said Drogba helps the team in many ways besides goal-scoring.

“There’s a presence about him,” the second-year coach said. “His professionalism is exceptional.

“When it’s time to train, his focus is there. His approach is always right on and that rubs off on players. He has certain standards and that’s transmitted to the players. So having him here not only helps the team, it helps a lot of players individually with their focus.”

Also on the field was veteran midfielder Marco Donadel, who hasn’t played since a season-opening win in Vancouver on March 7 due to a leg injury. The Italian will also be available to play, but likely not for the full 90 minutes.

“I injured it during the warmup in Vancouver passing the ball, a stupid pass,” said Donadel. “I played 70 minutes because I didn’t want to stay out after 40 days of pre-season.

“We won there and I’m happy for that. We’re on grass now. Everything is good.”