The Impact will try to put an end to its five-game winless streak. In its last game, Montreal lost 3-0 to AC St. Louis at Anheuser-Busch Park.
The Impact concluded the first half of the regular season, last Saturday, with a total of 17 points, one fewer than last year (5-7-3, 18 pts).
"If we want to start winning again, we absolutely have to capitalize on our scoring opportunities and stop making costly mistakes that have led to goals," declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We have to react versus Carolina on Wednesday night. We'll be facing a complicated opponent, so it's imperative that we play intelligent soccer for 90 minutes."
"We must go into this game without a trace of doubt in our minds and the confidence to collect three points," added Dos Santos. "In difficult moments like this, we have to think back to the success we've had over the last few seasons in an effort to regain that confidence."
The two clubs will face off for the third time this season. On May 30, the Impact was shut out 2-0 at Saputo Stadium. Then on June 26, a goal from Tony Donatelli in second half stoppage time allowed the Impact to salvage a 2-2 draw in Cary.
Since the league arrival of the RailHawks in 2007, the Impact has posted a winning record with six victories, three losses and two draws (18GF – 11GA). The Impact has won three of the six matches played in Montreal.
The RailHawks collected 2-0 wins in their last two road games, in St. Louis on July 3 and in Puerto Rico on July 11. Head coach Martin Rennie’s club hasn’t suffered a loss in its last eight regular season games. Their last defeat goes back to May 14 versus Tampa Bay
The RailHawks are also unbeaten in eight road games this season (4-0-4).
Impact goalkeepers Matt Jordan (groin) and Andrei Badescu (knee), as well as defender Adam Braz (hip) are still out of the lineup due to their injuries.
Midfielders David Testo and Filipe Soares will also miss Wednesday’s game due to league suspensions. Testo will serve an automatic one-game ban following his ejection in St. Louis, while Soares is suspended for having accumulated five yellow cards.
Note that the first 5,000 spectators will receive an Impact Hydro-Québec water bottle. Tickets are still available via the Admission box office (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com), or from the Saputo Stadium ticket office.
OTHER FACTS
• Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic has started Montreal’s last eight games, ever since Matt Jordan injured his groin on June 2.
• Forward Etienne Barbara is currently Carolina’s leading goal-scorer with five goals in 10 matches. That puts him in fourth place in the league.
• RailHawks goalkeeper Eric Reed posted his second consecutive clean sheet and third of the season in St. Louis. Reed is third in the league with a goal-against average of 0,727.
NEXT THREE GAMES
• Sunday, July 18 – Baltimore @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2pm (Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Wednesday, July 21 – St.Louis @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Wednesday, July 28 – Vancouver @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium - 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
