In its last two games, the Impact shut out the two leading teams in the USL D1 standings, at Saputo Stadium, winning 1-0, June 13, against Charleston, then 2-0, June 17, against Vancouver, in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
“It is extremely important to win at home because it sets up the games on the road,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “Players are confident right now. We have to compose with a few injured players but the return of a few players in the last game is giving us more possibilities tactically.”
“We are working hard because we need to improve a few things,” said defender Alex Surprenant. “The last game against Vancouver was not perfect. They put a lot of pressure on us in the second half and we will try to better our counterattack. Carolina has a reputation of playing physical but our mentality will not change and we want to impose our style. We have won the last two games without allowing a goal so we are feeling good and we hope to win Sunday.”
In four games against the RailHawks last season, the Impact showed a record of 2-1-1 (7GF – 4GA). The Impact and the RailHawks tied 2-2, July 8, in Sherbrooke. The Impact then beat the RailHawks 1-0, July 13, in Carolina, and 4-1, August 1, in Montreal, before losing 1-1, August 26, in Carolina.
“I’m expecting a tight and physical game,” said veteran Nevio Pizzolitto. “Carolina has a rough team with an American style of play. They will fight for all balls. On our side, things are going good defensively but we are trying to improve a few things. Fortunately, the two new central defenders (Cédric Joqueviel and Stefano Pesoli) with us this season are playing with confidence.”
Defender Gabriel Gervais (thigh), midfielders Antonio Ribeiro (ankle), Joey Gjertsen (abdominals) and Cristian Nunez (concussion), as well as team captain Mauro Biello (thigh) will not play Sunday’s game due to injuries. However, Gervais and Nunez will play with the Trois-Rivières Attak Saturday in Trois-Rivières, as they will face the TFC Academy.
Defender Adam Braz will serve an automatic one-game suspension due to his ejection from the game against the Charleston Battery, June 13. He will miss his first game of the season.
The Impact will then play its next two games on the West Coast. The Impact will face the Vancouver Whitecaps Wednesday in its third game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, before visiting the Seattle Sounders, Saturday, June 28.
OTHER FACTS
• Midfielder Patrick Leduc (988 minutes) will become Sunday the first Impact player to reach the 1000-minute played this season.
• The Impact sold all 13,034 tickets of its first four regular-season games at Saputo Stadium, which is a league high after four games. The Impact should play again in front of a sold out crowd Sunday. The Impact has also sold more than 10,000 tickets for each of the remaining games at Saputo Stadium.
• More than 2,000 people from the NDG soccer Association will attend Sunday’s game.
• There will be a new franchise in Tampa Bay, for the 2010 season. The Tampa Bay Rowdies will be back in the league after playing six seasons from 1988 to 1993. Note that the Austin Aztex will join the USL D1 next season.
• The RailHawks will play the last game of a five-game stretch on the road. Carolina lost its first three games by shutout: 1-0 in Atlanta, May 31, 3-0 in Puerto Rico, June 12, and 2-0 in Miami, June 14.
• Friday, in Rochester, the RailHawks and the Rhinos tied 3-3. RailHawks defender Caleb Norkus scored the game-tying goal in the 90th minute.
NEXT GAMES
• Wednesday, June 25 – IMPACT @ Vancouver – Swangard Stadium – 10 pm
• Saturday, June 28 – IMPACT @ Seattle – Starfire Complex – 10 pm
• Sunday, July 6 – Puerto Rico @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
Nutrilite Canadian Championship
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
