CONTEXT
It will be the 14th and final home game of the year.
The Impact has the best defence in the league, having allowed only 14 goals in 25 games (0.56 average).
Montreal has shut out the opposition over the last 297 minutes of play.
With three games remaining on the schedule and only two losses so far, the Impact will break the club record for fewest losses in a season. The previous mark was six in one season, set in 1996 and equalled in 2003 and 2004.
A goal by Antonio Ribeiro in the 5th minute allowed the Impact (16-2-7) to clinch its fourth regular-season title in club history following a 1-0 win against the Vancouver Whitecaps (11-5-9), Wednesday, in front of 8,917 fans at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
IMPACT VS MINNESOTA
This will be only the fourth ever match-up between these two clubs (2-0-1).
It is also the second and last regular-season meeting between these teams this year.
In this year’s first game, July 15th in Minnesota, the Impact tied the Thunder 1-1. Captain Mauro Biello scored the only goal for the Impact in the 11th minute from a pass by midfielder Antonio Ribeiro.
The Thunder is in 10th place in the league with 28 points in 25 games, but sits only four points out of the sixth and final playoff spot.
Minnesota is winless in its last six road games (0-4-2). The team’s last victory on the road was June 5th, a 3-0 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks.
In their last game August 28th, Minnesota beat the Richmond Kickers 2-0 at James Griffin Stadium. Forward Aaron Paye netted two goals (48th and 51st minutes).
Striker Johnny Menyongar leads the Thunder in goals (8) and points (20), and sits in fifth place in league scoring for both goals and points.
On August 24th, the Thunder qualified for the semi-finals of the US Open Cup following a 3-1 win over the defending champions, the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer (MLS).
NOTES
Defender Adam Braz is suspended for one game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Defender Jason DiTullio’s season is over. DiTullio was forced to leave the game against the Virginia Beach Mariners on August 26th. He is scheduled to have knee surgery in two weeks.
Midfielder ZĂ© Roberto is still sidelined with a knee sprain that he suffered against the Atlanta Silverbacks on August 7th, but should be available for the playoffs.
If the Impact shuts out the Thunder on Sunday, it could tie a club record of four consecutive shutout wins.
The record for the least amount of goals allowed in a season is 15, which was set last year. With three games left to play, the Impact has conceded 14 goals this season.
The Impact could also tie a club record for fewest home losses in one season, set at one game back in 1996.
With his 6th game-winning goal of the season against the Rochester Raging Rhinos on August 28th, Mauro Biello tied the club record set back in 1997, and then equalled by forward Eduardo Sebrango in 2002.
If he is in nets Sunday, goalkeeper Greg Sutton will be the first Impact player to reach the 2,000-minute mark this season.
Impact forward Darko Kolic is still only one point away from tallying his 100th point in the USL.
PRE-GAME COMMENTS
Charles Gbeke
Patrick Leduc
UPCOMING GAMES
The Impact will conclude the regular season with two games out West, Friday, September 9th against the Seattle Sounders (10 pm), and Sunday, September 11th, against the Vancouver Whitecaps (7 pm).
Montreal will then get a bye straight to the USL D1 semi-finals which will be played September 23 and 25.
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext.27)