Following a 2-0 win in Minnesota, the Impact lost 1-0 against the Strikers, Saturday at Lockhart Stadium, in Fort Lauderdale. The Strikers goal ended the Impact’s streak of three consecutive games without allowing a goal (339 minutes).
With only four games remaining this season, the Impact (25 pts) is now four points behind the Minnesota Stars (29 pts) for the sixth and final playoff spot. The Stars face FC Tampa Bay tonight in Blaine, Minnesota.
The Impact is also six points behind the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and eight points behind FC Edmonton. Both teams will play at home tomorrow.
"It will be another important match. We have to think like we are in the playoffs right now and get a positive result," said Impact head coach and sporting director Nick De Santis, who is back to Montreal for personal reasons. "We had a good talk with the players before we left for Puerto Rico and the mindset is very positive."
"The atmosphere is good and the players are hungry to perform after a deceiving result in Fort Lauderdale,” said Mauro Biello, who will be coaching his first game in the NASL. “We are still on the quest for the playoffs and we are focusing on what we can control. We will try to do the best possible collectively and individually to win that game.”
The Puerto Rico Islanders are currently second in the NASL standings with a record of 13 wins, six losses and six ties for a total of 45 points in 25 games.
In their last game, Saturday, the Islanders were shut out 2-0 by the Silverbacks, in Atlanta. However, the Islanders are unbeaten at home this season, with a record of seven wins, no loss and four ties in 11 games.
Puerto Rican players Noah Delgado, Scott Jones, Richard Martinez, Alexis Rivera, Peter Villegas, Marco Velez and Tyler Wilson, as well as Gregory Richardson (Guyana) and Jonathan Faña (Dominican Republic) are currently representing their country in the CONCACAF qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and are doubtful for Wednesday’s game.
Puerto Rico and Canada’s national teams are matching up tonight in Bayamon.
"Even if they have players on national duty, it won't be easy because they will have very good players available like Addlery, Foley or Pitchkolan, added Biello. "It's always tough to play there because of the conditions. The good thing is that we have already a game in hot weather under the belt after playing in Florida Saturday."
Islanders striker Jonathan Fana, third in the NASL with 10 goals, should miss the game, while teammates Nicholas Addlery and David Foley have both registered seven goals and should play Wednesday night.
This is the last of four matchups between the teams in 2011. The Islanders won the first game 2-1, on June 12, at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, before tying 0-0, on June 29, at Saputo Stadium.
The Impact then shut out the Islanders 1-0, on July 31, in Montreal. Striker Eduardo Sebrango scored the lone goal, while goalkeeper Evan Bush registered the clean sheet.
Impact strikers Eduardo Sebrango (thigh) and Ali Gerba, as well as midfielder Antonio Ribeiro (calf) and goalkeeper Bill Gaudette (thigh) did not travel with the team due to injuries.
The Impact will play its next home game at Saputo Stadium against the Carolina RailHawks, on Sept. 11, at 3:30pm (98,5FM, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports). Tickets for this game are still available through Admission Network (admission.com / 514-790-1245) or at Saputo Stadium’s ticketing office.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NASL
• Tuesday, Sept. 6 – Tampa Bay @ Minnesota – National Sports Center – 8:30pm (nscminnesota.com)
• Wednesday, Sept. 7 – Caroline @ Fort Lauderdale – Lockhart Stadium – 7:30pm (strikers.com)
• Wednesday, Sept. 7 – Atlanta @ Edmonton – Foote Field – 9:30pm (fcedmonton.com)
THE LAST THREE GAMES
• Sunday, Sept. 11 – Carolina RailHawks @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 3:30pm (98,5FM, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
• Saturday, Sept. 17 – FC Edmonton @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30pm (98,5FM, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
• Saturday, Sept. 24 – IMPACT @ Atlanta Silverbacks – Atlanta Silverbacks Park – 7:30pm (atlantasilverbacks.com)
Tweet
