In the first game between the two teams this season, on June 22, the Impact shut out the RailHawks 3-0 at Saputo Stadium. Forward Roberto Brown scored one goal and added two assists on Severino Jefferson’s and Leonardo Di Lorenzo’s goals.
The RailHawks, currently 10th in the standings, have not won in their last eight games (0-4-4). They are also 10th in the league defensively with 29 goals allowed.
“We have to get points in every game that is coming up, particularly if it’s a team that we are directly fighting against for a playoff spot,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “Those points are very valuable for our future. We played very well against them in Montreal so if we duplicate that quality, we shouldn’t have any problems winning in Carolina.”
The Impact has not played a regular season game since July 27. The Impact had lost 2-0 against the Rochester Rhinos, at Saputo Stadium.
“The game against Rochester was one of our worst displays on the field this season,” added Limniatis. “Win or lose, at the end of the day after the game, it’s history. Now we have to put it behind us, take the best out of it and move forward.”
Defender Gabriel Gervais is back from his thigh injury and could play Friday. He missed the last five games and has not played since July 6.
The Impact also came to terms with midfielders Sandro Grande and Félix Brillant for the remainder of the 2008 season. Brillant made the trip to North Carolina, while Grande did not travel with the team because he did not get his international transfer.
“From a technical and a tactical point of view, we needed to add players because we have a lot of games coming up, said Limniatis. “We also had to add players to improve our team on and off the field. With our two newcomers and other players underway, this will help us.”
Impact forward Roberto Brown will miss the game in Carolina due to his ejection in the last game against Rochester. The league suspended Brown for a total of three games but the Impact brought the decision under appeal. Defenders Adam Braz (thigh), Cédric Joqueviel (groin) and Nevio Pizzolitto (back), as well as midfielder Mauro Biello (wrist and heel) did not make the trip to North Carolina due to injuries.
The Impact will then play its next home game at Saputo Stadium, Wednesday, August 13, against the Rochester Rhinos. All tickets for that game are available for $10 ($5 for 16 and under) and hot dogs will be $1.
OTHER FACTS
• Trois-Rivières Attak midfielder Davy Uwimana also made the trip to Cary.
• The Impact shut out its reserve team the Trois-Rivières Attak 2-0, August 2, in an exhibition game at Chauveau Park, in Quebec City.
• This is the second of three games between both teams this season. The Impact will be back in Cary August 30.
• The RailHawks are only playing their second season in the USL First Division.
• RailHawks forward Daniel Antoniuk played with the Impact during the 2006 season. He has two goals and three assists so far this season.
NEXT GAMES
• Wednesday, August 13 – Rochester @ IMPACT – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Saturday, August 16 – IMPACT @ Portland – 10 pm (USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, August 20 – Atlanta @ IMPACT – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Sunday, August 24 – Atlanta @ IMPACT – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
