In its last regular season match, Sunday against the Charleston Battery, the Montreal Impact lost 1-0 at Saputo Stadium.
The Impact concluded its first series of international matches with a 2-1 victory against the Syrian national team on Wednesday.
"We are coming back from a positive run of international home games, mentioned midfielder Felix Brillant, who registered the game-winning goal against Syria. We are now aiming for the three points at any cost in Minnesota."
Minnesota is currently last in the USL First Division standings with eight points. In its last game against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Thursday, the Thunder was shut out 4-0 at Swangard Stadium. The Thunder has posted only one victory since the start of the season after 13 regular season games.
"We need to win the game at all costs, said midfielder Sandro Grande. The Thunder will try to make up ground since they are at the bottom of the standings. We're very pumped for the game and intend to work hard and pass the ball well. Wednesday's victory against Syria was good for the morale and we showed that the team had character. The points in Saturday's game against Minnesota are points that we should be getting."
The Impact is at the .500 mark in 12 games all-time against the Thunder (4-4-4, 19 GF - 13 GA).
"Minnesota is a tough place for us to play. This team always gives us trouble," said player-coach Mauro Biello. "As we are entering the half season, it's crucial to get points and move up in the standings. We need to impose our game right from the beginning by scoring first. Once this is accomplished, we have a good enough defense to get ahead."
Defender Cédric Joqueviel (thigh) as well as midfielders Patrick Leduc (foot) and Leonardo Di Lorenzo (thigh) have not made the trip due to injuries.
Defender Zanzan, who suffered a light thigh injury versus Syria, has not joined the team in Minnesota.
Young defender Alex Surprenant joined his teammates for this trip, while Pa Amadou Gai stayed in Montreal.
Montreal and Minnesota will match up again on August 9 and September 13 at Saputo Stadium.
The Impact will play its next regular season game against the Rhinos, Wednesday, in Rochester (7 pm, USLlive.com).
OTHER FACTS
• Midfielder Rocco Placentino is tied with Cleveland City Stars midfielder Pato Aguilera for the league lead in assists with 5.
• Goalkeeper Matt Jordan is one victory and one shutout away from 25 wins and 25 clean sheets in his career with the Impact. He is also 5 minutes from the 5,000 minutes played mark with Montreal.
• Defender Simon Gatti is one card away from a one-match suspension.
• Midfielder David Testo is the only Impact player to have started all 13 matches this season.
• One former Impact player is currently with the Thunder: Canadian defender Andres Arango.
ELSEWHERE IN THE LEAGUE
• Carolina @ Charleston - 7:30 pm - Blackbaud Stadium
• Portland @ Austin - 8:30 pm - Nelson Field
NEXT MATCHES
• Wednesday, July 15 - IMPACT @ Rochester - Marina Auto Stadium - 7 pm (USLlive.com)
• Sunday, July 19 - Puerto Rico @ IMPACT -Saputo Stadium- 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, July 22 - Cleveland @ IMPACT -Saputo Stadium - 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
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Source: Claudia Gervais, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 234)
