“We are in the last phase of our preparation before starting the season, so one of our objectives will be to use a couple of players for 70 to 90 minutes,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “Since our arrival, we are working on tactical aspects during trainings, so it will be good to play another high level game. We will face young talented players.”
Since starting training camp on January 7, the Impact has played six pre-season games, in Italy and Portugal, tallying a record of two wins, two losses and two ties.
“It’s great to play many pre-season games before the regular season kicks off, because it gives the chance to players to accumulate minutes of play,” said veteran midfielder Patrick Leduc. “Conditions are different here so it was great to train during the last two days before playing this first game.”
Last year, the Impact had signed a 3-1 win over Lynn University, on March 31, in the first match-up between the two teams. Forward Dwight Barnett, who is currently trying out with the Impact, had scored the lone goal for the university team.
Defenders Stefano Pesoli and Cédric Joqueviel, as well as midfielder Chris Williams and goalkeeper Andrew Olivieri are also fighting for a spot with the Impact in 2008.
A total of 23 players finally made the trip to the United States, while guest midfielder Ibrahim Baldeh could not join the team due to a visa problem.
The Impact will also face its USL First Division rivals, the Miami FC Blues, Sunday, March 30.
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 227
