THE GAME AT A GLANCE
• In their first game of the season, April 21 in Atlanta, the Impact came back from a two-goal deficit late in the second half to tie the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-2, at the Re\Max Greater Atlanta Stadium. Forward Matthew Palleschi (75th minute) and midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo (88th) scored for Montreal. Goalkeeper Matt Jordan played his first career-game with the Impact.
• The team is playing a stretch of four straight games on the road, before its home opener slated for Sunday, May 20 at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex in Montreal, against the Seattle Sounders.
• The Impact has a 6-6-0 record in 12 games against the Battery.
• Last year, the Impact had lost twice against Charleston. The Impact lost to the Battery 3-1, May 13, at Blackbaud Stadium, before losing 1-0, August 16, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
• It is the first match-up between the two teams this season. The game in Montreal will be played on June 15.
• Goalkeeper Matt Jordan should start a second straight game for the Impact.
• For the second game of the season, Impact head coach Nick De Santis will start the game with a 4-5-1 formation: four defenders, five midfielders and one forward.
THE OPPONENT
• It’s also the second game of the season for the Battery.
• On its home opener, April 20, Charleston tied the Minnesota Thunder 0-0.
• The Battery newcomers are defenders Lee Sandwina (Virginia, NCAA) and Scott Milroth (Charleston, NCAA), midfielders Gordon Chin (Toronto, ULS), Louie Rolko (Sioux Falls, PDL), Ian Bennett (Marian College, NCAA) and Mike Richardson (UNC, NCAA), as well as forwards Byron Alvarez (Portland, USL), Aaron King (Colorado, MLS), Jeremy Gold (Charleston, NCAA) and Michael Todd (Hofstra University, NCAA).
• Are no longer with the team: forwards Gavin Glinton (Los Angeles, MLS) and Omar Daley (Bradford City, England D3).
• During the off season, the Battery awarded new contracts to defenders Tim Karalexis, Kevin Nylen, midfielders Chris Corcoran and Lazo Alavanja, and to goalkeeper Keith Wiggans.
OTHER FACTS
• Defender Hicham Aaboubou signed a new deal with the Impact for the 2007 season.
• Defender Paul Moran is the last player still negotiating with the organization.
• Team captain Mauro Biello is only one point away from the 200-point mark with the Impact. (68G, 63A – 199 PTS). He is the Impact’s all-time leading scorer.
PRE-GAMES COMMENTS
HEAD COACH NICK DE SANTIS
"To avoid being in the same situation as in Atlanta, we will have to be more in line with our style of play, meaning moving the ball around, keeping it on the ground and using all the spaces. We have to be more patient to increase our scoring chances. As for the Battery, they will absolutely want to win at home, especially after their tie against the Thunder. We’ll try to take advantage of the fact that they will have a lot of pressure on their shoulders since they didn’t score in their last home game.”
FORWARD CHARLES GBEKE
“We made some technical adjustments for the upcoming match, notably with the use of a single striker. We’re heading to Charleston to get three points. The objective will once again be to score some goals, but this time without giving any to our opponent.”
MIDFIELDER LEONARDO DI LORENZO
“I feel great physically, just as my teammates. I’m glad I could be useful to the team in Atlanta and I hope to do the same in our next game against the Battery. Offensively, I want to be as productive as I can, but I don't want to set myself any objectives. We’re keeping up the hard work and I’m convinced that the team will improve as the season progresses.”
OUT OF THE LINE-UP
Player - Position – Injury – Status - Games missed in 2007
• Frederico Moojen Forward Ankle Did not make the trip to Charleston 0
• Antonio Ribeiro Midfielder Groin Did not make the trip to Charleston 0
• Paul Moran Defender Thigh Did not make the trip to Charleston 1
• Nevio Pizzolitto Forward Knee Did not make the trip to Charleston 1
• Zé Roberto Midfielder Knee Is currently training with the team 1
• Jason DiTullio Defender Knee Return unknown 1
• Shaun Tsakiris Midfielder Groin Return unknown 1
NEXT GAMES
• Saturday, May 5 - Impact @ Miami FC - Tropical Park Stadium - 8:00 pm (CJAD 800, USLlive.com)
• Friday, May 11 - Impact @ Puerto Rico - Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium - 8:00 pm (CJAD 800, USLlive.com)
• Sunday, May 20 - Seattle @ Impact - Claude-Robillard Sports Complex - 4:00 pm (Radio-Canada, Sirius, CJAD 800, USLlive.com)
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
