It will be the third of four matchups between both teams in 2011. Impact won the first two matches by shutout: 5-0, on May 1 in Edmonton, and then 2-0, on June 4 at Saputo Stadium.
“We want to win in Edmonton. We are confident and ready to play,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We must not think about the two previous results earned against this team and we can’t start thinking this game will be easy. The difference with our other games is that we scored on our opportunities.”
In its first NASL season, FC Edmonton is currently second in the overall standings with a record of six wins, four losses and one tie for a total of 19 points.
“Even though we have two wins against Edmonton, they are high in the league standings,” added midfielder Idriss Ech Chergui. “We will need to be careful and stay focused as we did in the first two matches. We must remain strong defensively and materialize our chances offensively.”
In its last game, the Impact ended a two-game losing streak with a scoreless draw against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Saturday, at Saputo Stadium.
“We created a lot of chances against the Strikers but couldn’t finish,” added defender Zurab Tsiskaridze. “We are confident we’ll get a good result in Edmonton. We need to be patient and keep creating chances and the ball will get in.”
Midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer made the trip to Edmonton. He could play his first game since May 21, after missing six games due to a foot injury. Impact U21 goalkeeper Dominic Provost also traveled with the first team.
Goalkeeper Bill Gaudette (ankle), defenders Nevio Pizzolitto (hip) and Richard Pelletier (thigh), as well as striker Ali Gerba (knee) are still injured.
The team will play its next home game at Saputo Stadium against the Puerto Rico Islanders, on June 29, at 7:30pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports). Tickets for this game are still available through Admission Network (admission.com / 514-790-1245) or at Saputo Stadium’s ticketing office.
In the meantime, the Impact Under-21 team will face Toronto FC Academy Sunday at 4pm at Saputo Stadium. Admission at the doors will be $4 for adults and $2 for children. Entrance for the Impact U21 games at Saputo Stadium is free for Montreal Impact season ticket holders.
OTHER FACTS
• Kyle Porter and Shaun Saiko are fourth in the NASL leading scorers with four goals. Saiko is also third with three assists. He was named the NASL Offensive Player of the Week following a goal and an assist against Minnesota.
• Impact U21 goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, midfielder Marco Lapenna and defender Ismail Benomar, are currently taking part in the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup in Mexico. In the group stage, Canada lost 3-0 against Uruguay on June 19, tied England 2-2 on June 22 and will face Rwanda on June 25. Crépeau was injured against Uruguay and will miss two weeks.
THREE NEXT GAMES
• Wednesday, June 29 – Puerto Rico Islanders @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
• Saturday, July 3 – IMPACT @ Carolina RailHawks – WakeMed Soccer Park – 7pm (carolinarailhawks.com)
• Wednesday, July 13 – Fort Lauderdale Strikers @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
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