The Impact is still looking for a first win in pre-season play, as the team has a record of one loss and two ties, following its stage in Italy.
In spite of being in the initial phase of its preparation, the team only allowed two goals so far in its first three matches, and according to defender Adam Braz, a solid defense remains a vital part of the team’s success.
“Judging by the games in Italy, we were strong and pretty cohesive defensively, which is the trademark of a championship team,” said Braz. “I think we have to follow up that trip with another strong performance here. During the next three games, we have to make sure that we are tight defensively.”
“It’s pretty hard for us because we don’t know who we will be facing and what to expect,” said team captain Mauro Biello about Thursday’s match-up. “Basically we’re working on our game, preparing ourselves on how we want to play, how we want to set up on the field. We still have a lot of things to work on since this is the beginning of our training camp. We’ve always been a team that’s strong defensively, but we’re also working on offensive sequences in order to find the right chemistry up front.”
Last season, the Impact boasted the second-best defense in the United Soccer Leagues First Division, allowing 21 goals in 28 matches. Offensively, the team scored 32 goals, good for fifth place overall.
So far in pre-season play, defender Alex Surprenant has been the lone scorer for the team with a tying goal against Cassino, in Italy, January 31.
“I think that playing well in the final third is always the biggest challenge because scoring is the toughest part of the game,” added Braz. “We’re working on patterns of play, and it’s only going to get better. When we get in front of the net, we just need to have that killer instinct. Results aren’t the be all and end all right now, but bottom line is we’re going into this game to win.”
Following Thursday’s match-up, the Impact will play two more games in Portugal, against third division club Fafe (Feb. 26) and second division club FC Vizela (Feb. 27).
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
