The Impact has lost only once in its last seven regular season games (5-1-1).
In the last game between both clubs, June 4 in Portland, the Impact lost 1-0. Midfielder Keith Savage scored in stoppage time, on a free kick from David Hayes.
“To win, we need to play a nearly perfect tactical game,” declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We will need to take advantage of their weaknesses and build on our counterattacks. It will also be important to remain focused the full 90 minutes and stay vigilant on dead ball situations.”
“The past is the past but we remember and we will try to get our revenge,” said midfielder Rocco Placentino, currently second in league scoring with nine points. “We are going there with the mentality of getting the three points. We will have to play a solid and compact game in order to win there.”
Since the arrival of the Timbers in 2001, the Impact has maintained a lifetime record of 3-6-2 (6GF – 10GA) against its west coast American rivals.
Portland lost only once since the beginning of the season and is still undefeated in six home games. The Timbers are ranked first in the league defensively, having only conceded six goals since the season start and fields the best offense at home, with an average of two goals per game at PGE Park.
“It’s never easy to play in Portland,” said midfielder Sandro Grande. “Their crowd is one of the most hostile in the league. They have not lost at home this season and on our side, we want to continue our winning sequence because our main objective right now is the first place in the standings.”
Defenders Cédric Joqueviel (thigh) and Stefano Pesoli (knee), as well as midfielder Patrick Leduc (foot) did not make the trip due to injuries. Forward Roberto Brown went back home to Panama for personal reasons.
Forward Peter Byers, midfielder Pierre-Rudolph Mayard and defender Alex Surprenant did not travel to the west coast. They will play with the Trois-Rivières Attak Saturday.
Defender Adam Braz, who missed five games due to a thigh injury, joined his teammates in Portland.
Note also that the Haitian National Team and Syrian National Team are matching up today at 3:30 pm, in the first of five international games presented this summer at Saputo Stadium.
OTHER FACTS
• Defender Nevio Pizzolitto will start Sunday his 200th career game with the Impact. Only Mauro Biello (265) and Nick De Santis (210) have reached this mark in club history.
• Goalkeeper Matt Jordan is one victory and one shutout away from 25 wins and 25 clean sheets in his career with the Impact.
• Forward Mandjou Keita is currently the best scorer for the Timbers with four goals up to now this season.
• This is the second of three games this season between both teams. The clubs will meet again August 12 in Montreal.
NEXT GAMES
Wednesday, July 1 – Haiti VS IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm
• Sunday, July 5 – Charleston @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (CKAC Sports, Radio-Canada, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, July 8 – Syria VS IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm
* International games
-30-
Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
