The Impact is one point behind the Minnesota Stars for the sixth and final playoff spot. To make the playoffs, the Impact must get a better result in its last game than Minnesota.
The Impact has the second best record of the second half of the season with six wins, three losses and four ties for a total of 22 points in 13 games.
Montreal has only lost once in its last eight games (5-1-2) and has the second best defensive record in the NASL with 27 goals against in 27 games.
“If we look at where we were a few weeks ago, it is satisfying to see that the last game of the season is significant and means something for the team," said Impact head coach and sporting director Nick De Santis. "We worked hard to put ourselves in this position and we deserve to get into the playoffs. I would not want to go into this game with any other team.”
In its last game, last Sunday, the Impact shut out FC Edmonton 2-0, in front of 12,433 spectators at Saputo Stadium, to remain in the hunt for a playoff position. Ryan Pore scored both goals for the Impact, while goalkeeper Evan Bush registered his eighth shutout of the season.
“To play the final game of the season and have a chance to get into the playoffs is unbelievable,” said Bush, who leads the NASL with a 0.80 GAA. “We want to clinch a playoff spot but we also want to get in and do well. Fan support has been incredible all season long, through good and bad, and we don’t want the season to end on Saturday.”
Defenders Simon Gatti and Nevio Pizzolitto will be available for the game after serving an automatic one-game suspension in the last game, due to an accumulation of five cautions.
Gatti’s next start will be his 100th career start with the Impact, while Pizzolitto is 60 minutes away from reaching 23,000 career minutes of play. He would become the second player in team history to reach this mark after Mauro Biello (25,288).
“This is obviously a game that we need to win, and normally, we play well when we have this kind of pressure to win,” said Pizzolitto, who will play his 291st career game with the Impact. “We have adjusted certain things in the second half of the season and we are playing well at the moment. We are going to Atlanta with a lot of confidence. It will be very important to remain steady defensively on Saturday and we need to be patient in order to find scoring opportunities.”
“Overall it’s been a frustrating season where we have lost important points, but we are happy to see how the team has come together,” said defender Simon Gatti. “We have been the best team in the league in the last third of the season. If we get into the playoffs, we will be the team to beat.”
Defender Hassoun Camara did not travel to Atlanta due to thigh injury.
Versus the Silverbacks
This is the last of four matchups between the teams in 2011. The Impact lost the first game 2-1, on June 8, in Atlanta, before playing to a 2-2 tie, on July 17, at Saputo Stadium. The Impact won the last matchup 4-0, on August 14, in Montreal.
The Impact has a record of 21 wins, five losses and two ties (60GF-27GA) in 28 games against teams from Atlanta, since 1995. Montreal has an all-time record of eight wins, five losses and one tie (25GF-20GA) in 14 games in Atlanta.
The Atlanta Silverbacks are currently last in the NASL overall standings with a record of four wins, 19 losses and four ties for a total of 16 points. The team will not participate in the NASL playoffs.
Minnesota vs Carolina
The Minnesota Stars will face the Carolina RailHawks, Saturday at 7pm, in Cary.
“We will definitely follow the other match in Carolina and adapt to the situation during our game," added De Santis. "However, our players can only control their game and their performance. If we do well, we will get a positive result.”
Minnesota is the only team in the league to remain undefeated against the RailHawks this season (1-0-2). The RailHawks have lost three consecutive matches by a score of 1-0 and has won 11 of its 13 home games (11-1-1) this season.
In the event of a tie in the standings results, the Impact holds the second tie-breaker, on goal differential (+4 for the Impact vs -3 for the Stars). The first tie-breaker, which is head to head between the two teams, is tied.
If the Impact clinches a playoff spot, the Impact will face Tampa Bay or Fort Lauderdale in the quarterfinal round. The two teams are matching up Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. The quarterfinal round will be a single match that will be played on October 1st, in Florida, while the semifinal and final rounds will each be a home-and-away series on aggregate goals.
The U21 team at Saputo Stadium Saturday
Meanwhile, the Impact U21 will play its next game at home, Saturday at 1pm, against the Mississauga Eagles FC, at Saputo Stadium. Fans can attend this game for a cost of $4 for adults and $2 for children. Access to the stadium is free for season tickets holders.
The team will conclude its regular season on Oct. 2 at 1pm, against the Brantford Galaxy, at Saputo Stadium. In the last game, Saturday, the team won 5-2 against the St. Catharines Roma Wolves, at Marie-Victorin Sports Complex.
Tweet
