This is the second game of a two-match road trip. Saturday, in Puerto Rico, the Impact was shut out 1-0 by the Islanders, in Bayamon.
“A big challenge awaits us in Cleveland, as we will be playing against a team that plays well at home,” mentioned Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “However, the players are mentally strong at this moment. In Puerto Rico, where we were never dominated and where we gave everything, we come out stronger despite the loss.”
Despite the loss, Montreal is still ranked sixth in the USL First Division standings, tied with the Vancouver Whitecaps, which have played one more game.
“We absolutely need to earn points and take advantage of the results of our closest rivals in the standings, Miami and Vancouver, which were unable to take advantage of their situation in their last matches”, added Dos Santos. “If we succeed in getting a few wins we will be in a good position for the playoffs.”
The Impact plays against the expansion franchise for the second time this season. Coincidently, the last time the Impact faced the City Stars it was after a 1-0 loss against Puerto Rico. Last time, the Impact then beat Cleveland 4-1, July 22, at Saputo Stadium. Forward Eduardo Sebrango scored twice, while midfielder Ciaran O’Brien tallied one goal and one assist.
“It will be tough to play against Cleveland, as they not only have the advantage of being at home, but also a full week of rest since their last match, without mentioning the field conditions that awaits us there,” noted Sebrango. “This club has good individual players who are very athletic. We will have to come out strong both physically and mentally. Although we have been improving our game in the past few matches, this is no longer sufficient. We need to win and earn points.”
The City Stars currently sit last in the standings with a pair of wins in 23 matches. In its last game, August 11 in Charleston, the City Stars lost 4-1 against the Battery.
Cleveland has currently the worst defence in the league, having conceded 41 goals since the beginning of the campaign, 14 in the last five games.
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who played Saturday his first regular season game since July 11, should start a second straight game tomorrow in Cleveland. In Puerto Rico, Jordan allowed one goal but was particularly strong during stoppage time.
Nevio Pizzolitto and Roberto Brown, who each received a fifth caution in the last match against the Minnesota Thunder, will each serve an automatic one-game suspension against Cleveland.
Defenders Stephen deRoux (cheek injury), Alex Surprenant (healthy scratch), as well as midfielders Félix Brillant (healthy scratch) and Patrick Leduc (foot injury) will also miss the game.
OTHER FACTS
• Before having been promoted to the USL First Division, the City Stars had played two seasons in the USL Second Division. Last year, they won the playoff title after a 2-1 win against Charlotte.
• Former Impact midfielder Pato Aguilera is the City Stars point leader with three goals and five assists for 11 points in 23 games. Last year with the Impact, Aguilera had tallied only three points in 23 matches.
• Midfielder David Testo leads the team in terms of games started (21), minutes played (1,827), fouls (27) and yellow cards (7).
NEXT GAMES
• Sunday, August 23 – Austin @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, FSW, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Sunday, August 30 – Carolina @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, September 2 - Carolina @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
