CONTEXT
> It will the first of two games in less than 24 hours, as the team will then visit the Battery in Charleston, Saturday night.
> The Impact is undefeated in 15 consecutive games (10-0-5), continuing to improve on its club record and on the USL First Division record. The old record of 13 games without a loss previously belonged to the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1998 and had been equalled by the Richmond Kickers in 2000.
> The Impact is still unbeaten in nine games on the road (6-0-3), also a new club record.
> Montreal is now the only undefeated team in the league.
> De Santis’ squad is the best defensive team in the league, having allowed only seven goals since the start of the season.
> The Impact is in first place in league standings with 35 points, two ahead of the Rochester Raging Rhinos and the Richmond Kickers. Montreal has four games in hand over both the Rhinos and the Kickers.
> The Impact has a record of 16-16-5 in games played within a 24-hour span. Earlier this year, Montreal blanked the Virginia Beach Mariners 1-0 on May 7 before tying the Richmond Kickers the next night, 0-0.
> In its last game, the Impact disposed of the Toronto Lynx 2-1, Sunday, at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex in front of 12,885 spectators. Midfielder Zé Roberto and forward Mauro Biello scored in the win. Biello’s goal was his fifth in his last four games, and his third game-winning goal this season.
IMPACT VS ATLANTA
> The Impact has a record of 14-2-0 against Atlanta, which joined the league in 1995.
> This is the first meeting between these teams this season. A return match is scheduled on Sunday, August 7 at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
> Last year, the Impact shut out the Silverbacks in three games played. On May 1, 2004, the Impact blanked the Silverbacks 2-0 in Atlanta. Forward Fred Commodore scored both goals. On July 24, 2004, De Santis’ squad disposed of Atlanta 1-0 after midfielder Patrick Leduc converted a penalty kick. Finally, on August 22 of last year in Montreal, the Impact won 1-0 on a goal by Yuri Lavrynenko.
> The Silverbacks have lost their last four games.
> Atlanta has allowed 33 goals against in 19 games.
NOTES
> Goalkeeper Greg Sutton, in his 5th season with the Impact, will soon reach the plateau of 10, 000 career minutes played with Montreal. He has played 9,969 minutes in an Impact uniform, continuing to improve on his club record.
> Sutton is also only two victories away from equalling Paolo Ceccarelli’s team record of 60 career wins.
> Following a production of five goals in his last four games, as well as the departure of forward Ali Gerba, captain Mauro Biello is now the Impact’s leading scorer (5-3-13). He has jumped into 9th position in league scoring.
> Biello was named Player of the Week in the United Soccer Leagues First Division.He scored two game-winning goals against the Toronto Lynx. Biello scored in a 1-0 win in Toronto last Friday, and also scored the winner on Sunday in a 2-1 victory in Montreal.
> Forward Eduardo Sebrango has missed Montreal’s last five games. He suffered a fractured bone in his right foot, June 30, in a 1-0 win over the Timbers in Portland. He is scheduled to return in August.
COMMENTS
Impact head coach Nick De Santis: “This week-end will probably be one of the toughest of the season because we are playing two games in less then 24 hours. The Silverbacks and the Battery are battling for a playoff spot and they are playing at home. Atlanta is one of the most offensive teams in the league. We will have to stay disciplined in our zone and try to use the counter-attack. In Charleston, it will be difficult, because it will be our second game. We will use all our players to stay fresh and do our best to win the game.”
Mauro Biello: “It will be our biggest challenge so far this season. It will be very important to win the first game. We want to stay unbeaten and in order to do so, we will have to play good soccer on the road.”
Patrick Leduc: “It will be a good test for us. I think Nick De Santis has confidence in all his players, so everybody will have to be ready. We have a lot of depth and it’s very useful for us in a situation like this one.”
NEXT GAME
> The Impact will play its second game in less than 24 hours Saturday night in Charleston, where it will face the Battery at 7:30 pm. Montreal will return to the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex on Sunday, August 7 to face the Atlanta Silverbacks (CKAC, CJAD).
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
