In its last NASL game, the Impact ended a sequence of two straight losses, tying the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 0-0, on May 28 at Lockhart Stadium. The Impact is still looking for its first win of the season at home.
"The two games we have lost recently (against Carolina and Tampa Bay) were tough games mentally but that's part of sport," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We got the tie in Florida but we need to work harder and get the win. We need to be more consistent and be at our best in possession and ball circulation."
It will be the second matchup between these teams this season. Montreal registered its first win of the season in a 5-0 shutout, in Alberta on May 1. Striker Ali Gerba scored his first two goals of the season, while goalkeeper Bill Gaudette registered the shutout. Nevio Pizzolitto, Idriss Ech Chergui and Anthony Le Gall scored the other goals. It will be FC Edmonton’s first ever visit to Saputo Stadium.
“We might have scored five goals and won the last game, it doesn't mean that it will be the same scenario. That’s not a good way to approach the game,” added forward Reda Agourram. “We don’t expect an easy match. I think our group of forwards has played better over the last few games. We find each other with more ease on the field and chemistry is building.”
Midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo will return to the lineup after serving a one-game suspension following a red card received on May 21 in Tampa Bay.
Defender Nevio Pizzolitto is still out of the lineup with a hip injury, midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer will miss the game due to fractured foot, while Ali Gerba has joined the Canadian National Team on Wednesday for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Edmonton is currently on a positive streak and hasn’t loss a regular season game since losing to Montreal on May 1, registering three wins and one tie, in their last four games.
In its first NASL season, FC Edmonton is currently second in the general standings with a record of five wins, two losses and one tie for a total of 16 points. In its last regular season game on Tuesday, Edmonton won 4-0 against FC Edmonton, in Alberta.
The U21 Impact will also be in action on Sunday, facing Brampton City United at Marie-Victorin Complex, at 1pm.
Tickets for Saturday’s game are still available through Admission Network (admission.com / 514-790-1245) or at the ticketing office of the Saputo Stadium.
OTHER FACTS
• Goalkeeper Bill Gaudette needs one win to reach 40 career wins in North American second division and one shutout to reach 30 career shutouts at the same level.
• Gaudette is currently first in the NASL with three shutouts and is third with a 1.00 goal against average per game.
• Midfielder Amir Lowery is the only Impact player to have started all seven games for the team this season.
• Kyle Porter is currently third in the NASL leading scorer with four goals, all scored in the last five games. Goalkeeper Rein Baart is also second in the league with two shutouts and fourth with 23 saves.
• U21 Impact goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau will leave for Mexico on June 8 for the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup. In the preliminary round, Canada will face Uruguay on Jun 19, England on June 22 and Rwanda on June 25.
NEXT THREE GAMES
• Wednesday, June 8 – IMPACT @ Atlanta Silverbacks – Atlanta Silverbacks Park – 7:30pm
• Sunday, June 12 – IMPACT @ Puerto Rico Islanders – Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium – 6:05pm
• Saturday, June 18–Fort Lauderdale Strikers @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2:30pm
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