Created in 2008, Barracuda FC is a professional club that is evolving in the Antigua and Barbuda first division championship. The team is mainly made up of players from the Antigua and Barbuda National Team, currently ranked 12th in the CONCACAF.
Barracuda FC is also running to join the NASL in 2011.
“We are playing a friendly game that isn’t in various respects, since as a team it’s important for us to win,” noted Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We want to come back with a victory and confidence. We are going to play a very important game against Portland and we want to prepare ourselves with the right attitude. It will therefore be important to play to win, especially since we are facing a team and players that have a lot to prove.”
This game will be special for Impact forward Peter Byers who will be returning home. Byers, a native of Bolans Village, debuted his professional career in the Antillean country with SAP FC and wore the colours of the Antigua and Barbuda national team. Byers will moreover be the Impact’s team captain for this game.
Midfielder and 2009 Impact MVP David Testo traveled with his teammates in Antigua and could play Saturday. Testo did not take part in any preseason match during training camp due to an abdominal injury.
Midfielders Rocco Placentino (foot), as well as defenders Nevio Pizzolitto (thigh) and Simon Gatti (ankle), did not make the trip to Antigua due to injuries.
Two players from the Impact Academy made their first trip with the first team: midfielder Kevin Cossette (20 years old) and forward Mircea Ilcu (19 years old).
This will be the Impact’s first international match during the 2010 season. The team will also play against first division Italian clubs Fiorentina, on May 23 at 2 pm at Saputo Stadium, and AC Milan, on June 2 at 8 pm, at Olympic Stadium.
The Impact will be back in Montreal Sunday evening to finalize its preparation for its 17th home opener against the Portland Timbers, Saturday, April 25 (2 pm, Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990), at Saputo Stadium.
Tickets for the home opener are currently on sale through Admission (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595/ admission.com), as well as at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office. 2010 season tickets and mini-season tickets for five or ten matches are also available. For further information, dial 514-328-3668 or visit impactmontreal.com.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Infos: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
