Montreal, which is playing a sequence of nine matches in May, is undefeated in its last four games (2-0-2) in the USSF Second Division.
In its last match, Saturday in Burnaby, the Impact drew 0-0 against the Vancouver Whitecaps, at Swangard Stadium.
"After a draw in Vancouver, we have another chance to be in first position in our division when we return to Montreal," noted Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "But just like at Swangard Stadium, it's never easy to play at PGE Park. We will have to be really well organized on defense and be smart on the attack to avoid mistakes and not to allow any turnovers."
Earlier this season, both teams played to a 1-1 draw, during the home opener at Saputo Stadium, on April 25. Team captain Nevio Pizzolitto registered the game equalizer on a penalty kick.
"There's no doubt that we know the team better, but we can see that the Timbers have a different style of play at home than when they play on the road," added Dos Santos. "It's a team that takes more risks at home and that will attempt to create more offensively, while putting a lot of pressure on the opponent."
Since the Timbers’ arrival in 2001, the Impact preserved a lifetime record of 3-8-3 (7GF – 16GA) against their west coast American rivals.
In 2009, the Impact allowed three shutouts versus the Timbers. The Impact was blanked twice at PGE Park, 1-0, on June 4 and 4-0, on June 28, and then lost 1-0, on August 12, at Saputo Stadium.
The Timbers went through a difficult two-game sequence at home versus expansion teams. Last Thursday, the Timbers were shut out 1-0 by the Crystal Palace Baltimore, before playing to a 1-1 draw against AC St. Louis, Saturday evening at PGE Park.
Just like Vancouver, Portland will join Major League Soccer (MLS) next season. Montreal will be joining MLS as the 19th team. The team will begin play in the 2012 season, at Saputo Stadium, which will be expanded to more than 20,000 seats. Only 5,000 seats are available on presale. Registration on a priority list will be required and a $50 deposit will be requested per ticket. To reserve a spot, visit montrealmls2012.com.
OTHER FACTS
• Defender Stefano Pesoli, midfielder Patrick Leduc and forward Roberto Brown did not travel with the team on the west coast. Pesoli played the 90 minutes of the Impact Academy match versus Milltown FC, last Saturday.
• Team captain Nevio Pizzolitto is 18 minutes shy of the 20,000 minutes played mark in regular season with the Impact. He will become the 2nd player of the club to reach this record, after Mauro Biello (25,288 minutes).
• Defender Adam Braz is only five minutes away from the 10,000 minutes played mark. He will become the 10th player in the club to reach this record.
THE NEXT 3 MATCHES
• Sunday, May 23 – Fiorentina @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Wednesday, May 26 – Vancouver @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 8 pm (Sportsnet, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Sunday, May 30 – Carolina @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2 pm (Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
Nutrilite Canadian Championship match
International match
-30-
Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
