In the first game of the home-and-away series the Impact lost 2-1 to the Sounders Friday at Starfire Complex in Tukwila, near Seattle. Defender Stefano Pesoli scored the lone Impact goal in the 21st minute of play. Midfielders Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar (15th minute) and Leighton O’Brien (PK, 42nd minute) scored for the Sounders.
“Seattle has shown once again on Friday that they are a good team,” said Impact team captain Mauro Biello. On their artificial turf, the ball was not bouncing normally and the game became physical. In the second half we played much better and created more scoring chances. We will have to play like that during 90 minutes Sunday.”
“To win the game we will have to be more efficient but also play a more physical game, said Impact head coach John Limniatis. I know that we can do it even though Seattle is an excellent team.”
The Impact has a lifetime record of 15-16-5 in the playoffs (44 GF-38 GA). At home the Impact has a record of 10-7-3 (29GF – 16 GA).
“In the playoffs if you don’t win at home you can’t think about getting through to the next round,” added Biello. “This is what we’ll have to do but we know that we can score against them. We gained confidence in the second half and to play on our field at Saputo Stadium gives us even more confidence.”
The Sounders are playing their first game on the road since August 10 in Minnesota. The Sounders played their last seven games at home.
Impact defender Stefano Pesoli will miss Sunday’s game due to a one-game suspension following his ejection during Friday’s game after receiving two cautions. Sounders Defender Kevin Sakuda will also serve a one-game suspension following a straight red card Friday.
The Impact is playing its 11th game in 30 days in the month of September. This is also its 5th game in nine days.
With a total of 190,440 spectators who attended regular season games at Saputo Stadium the Impact registered a new attendance record in the USL First Division surpassing the 183,980 fans registered by the Rhinos in 1998.
OTHER FACTS
• This is the third time that both clubs meet in the playoffs. The Impact won the championship final in 2004, 2-0. The following season, the Impact lost to the Sounders 4-3 the semifinal series on aggregate goals.
• The Impact has missed the playoffs only three times in 14 seasons: in 1993, 2000 and 2001. The Impact has won two championships, in 1994 and 2004.
• The Impact ended the season with the second best defensive record in the league after conceding 28 goals, tied with Vancouver, five more than Puerto Rico.
• The Impact is first in the USL D1 standings in goals conceded at home (9) and in goal average allowed at Saputo Stadium (0.60).
• If both teams are still tied after the two games, there will be two overtime periods of 15 minutes followed by penalty kicks. Goals scored on the road are not taken into consideration as a tie breaker.
ELSWHERE IN THE LEAGUE FRIDAY
FRIDAY
Minnesota (7) @ Vancouver (2) – 0:2
Charleston (5) @ Rochester (4) – 0:2
SUNDAY
Vancouver (2) @ Minnesota (7) – 6:05 pm
Rochester (4) @ Charleston (5) – 7 pm
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
