This is the Impact’s fourth and last international match this summer. During its last game, July 28 at Saputo Stadium against the FC Girondins de Bordeaux, the Impact gave an impressive performance by standing up to the French Champions, in a very close game that ended with a 2-1 loss. July 1st, Montreal tied 0-0 against the Haitian National Team and defeated the Syrian National team 2-1, July 8.
"We will be ready because we will prepare ourselves in the most professional way possible," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We will need to be very well organized, as we were against Bordeaux. We can hope for a good result if we can apply our game plan to the letter."
“It will be very special for me to play against one of the greatest Argentinean and Latin American clubs,” noted Argentinean midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo. “It will be very special to play against a team from my country. I think that it will be a very difficult match, just like the one against Bordeaux was, so we should give a similar performance.”
CA River Plate plays the last of three international friendly matches in Canada. The Argentinean club defeated Toronto FC 4-3 on penalties, July 22 at BMO Field in Toronto, claiming the Carlsberg Cup international friendly. River Plate then shut out English Premier League club Everton 1-0, July 25, at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
“River Plate is in its last stage of preparation for their upcoming season,” added Di Lorenzo. “That means that they will come very well prepared both physically and technically.”
CA River Plate was founded May 25, 1901 near La Boca, a Buenos Aires neighbourhood. River Plate has won 33 Argentinean championships and five international cups, including two Copa Libertadores (1986 and 1996) and one Intercontinental Cup (1986).
River Plate is also the Argentinean club that has registered the most victories, scored the most goals and allowed the least goals, in the history of Argentinean soccer.
"We are aware that we're facing a superior team to ours," added Dos Santos. "I believe that River Plate is among the top 15 clubs in the world. They have produced great players throughout their history.”
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan should play Tuesday. Jordan faced FC Girondins de Bordeaux last Tuesday.
Defender Cédric Joqueviel could be back in the lineip Tuesday, after missing the 19 previous matches due to a thigh injury. This could be his first start since May 17.
Midfielders Stephen deRoux (face), Félix Brillant (knee) and Patrick Leduc (foot) will not be available due to injuries.
More than 8,000 tickets have been sold. Excellent tickets are still available through Admission (514-790-1245 / admission.com) or at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office.
OTHER FACTS
• In its last match, Saturday in Florida, the Impact tied 1-1 against Miami FC, at FIU Stadium.
• River Plate won the clausura championship in 2008. Former international coach Diego Simeone was at that time at the helm of the team. The team is currently led by Néstor Gorosito.
• In the 1990s and in the current decade, various great players wore CA River Plate’s uniform, including Leonardo Astrada, Gabriel Batistuta, Hernan Crespo, Andres D’Alessandro, Marcelo Gallardo, Javier Mascherano, Ariel Ortega, Marcelo Salas and Javier Saviola.
• River Plate’s home is Monumental Stadium, with a 66,000 seats capacity.
NEXT GAMES
• Sunday, August 9 – Minnesota @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, August 12 – Portland @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Saturday, August 15 – IMPACT @ Puerto Rico – Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium - 8 pm (USLlive.com)
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
