The Red Bulls, currently first in the MLS Eastern Conference with four wins, one loss and four ties, have among their ranks former French international, World Cup winner and current New York team captain Thierry Henry, Mexican national team captain Rafa Marquez, Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario and former Impact goalkeeper and team record holder Greg Sutton.
"The Red Bulls can count on several excellent offensive players who can make a difference, said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. We prepared ourselves just as if it was another game, with the same philosophy. Everybody will play, some for 45 minutes, so there's no excuse not to give it all on the field."
"This will be another occasion to show that we are able to compete with MLS teams,” said defender Philippe Billy. “This will be a good challenge and our objective is to play well in front of our fans. This is an opportunity for the club to showcase itself out of our current league."
Thierry Henry is currently tied for second in MLS with four goals. Henry is also tied for fourth in the league with teammate and Norwegian midfielder Jan Gunnar Solli with three assists.
“This will be a tough game,” added Henry. “Young organizations always perform well. We need to be ready. This game is good for Canada and our clubs. I’m really happy to come and play in Montreal. I heard a lot of good things from my friends and I never had the chance before to come to Montreal. Tomorrow’s matchup will be exciting.”
"I'm expecting more than a friendly tomorrow," said New York Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe, who previously managed FC Copenhagen and was an assistant with Manchester City. "These friendlies are always more like a cup final. Montreal has amazing supporters from what I've seen.”
In exhibition matches played last year, Montreal tied Fiorentina at Saputo Stadium before losing to AC Milan in front of 47,681 spectators a week later at Olympic Stadium.
Excellent tickets are still available for the game through Admission Network (admission.com / 514-790-1245) or at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office.
OTHER FACTS
• Substitutions will be unlimited at halftime and there will be a maximum of three subs during the game.
• If the game is tied after 90 minutes, there will be no added time or penalties.
• Senegalese forward Mignane Diouf should play his first game with the Impact, after joining the team on May 6 for the 2011 season in the NASL. He was loaned out from the Diambars Academy, a Senegal National League 2 team (second division).
• Italian midfielder Nicola Princivalli is on a tryout with the Impact until Saturday. He could also play Wednesday.
• Forward Reda Agourram should play his first game of the year after missing six games due to a thigh injury.
• Midfielder Hassoun Camara and defender Richard Pelletier won’t be available due to thigh injuries.
• Goalkeeper Evan Bush should play Wednesday night.
UPCOMING GAMES
• Saturday, May 14 – Carolina RailHawks @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2:30pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
• Saturday, May 21 – IMPACT @ FC Tampa Bay – Al Lang Stadium – 7pm (fctampabay.com)
• Saturday, May 28 – IMPACT @ Strikers de Fort Lauderdale – Lockhart Stadium – 7:30pm (strikers.com)
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