CARSON, Calif. – Monterrey bring an assortment of stars to face the LA Galaxy in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals, but they’ll be without starting goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco.
The starting ‘keeper has dealt with a right hamstring injury for several weeks leaving the job to 34-year-old backup Juan de Dios Ibarra. The backup made his season debut last Saturday during Los Rayados’ 3-0 victory over Pumas UNAM.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game, Ibarra is confident that he can contribute on Wednesday.
“I’m confident where I am right now,” said Ibarra. “I’m trying to do things the right way and do them how I best know how to do. I’m trying to get confidence to the defenders so we can go out and get a result.”
Ibarra’s teammate midfielder Jesus Zavala has plenty of confidence in the backup goalkeeper.
“Orozco is a great goalkeeper, but we have confidence in [Ibarra]. He can do good work and we those that come off the bench are good quality,” said Zavala.” Fortunately, it is two very important games and we’ll have to think about the players that we do have and on doing things right.”
