D.C. United – Montreal Impact
Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 7:30pm (ET)
RFK Stadium, Washington
Broadcast: TVA Sports
Also available on: illico web, illico mobile, MLS Live
WASHINGTON D.C. – The Montreal Impact (5-9-3) will fly to Washington today to face the Eastern Conference leading D.C. United (9-5-3) Saturday at 7:30pm (ET), at RFK Stadium, in Washington The game will be broadcast live on TVA Sports and will be available on illico web, illico mobile, MLS Live.
This game ends a jam-packed month of June for the Impact as it is the final match in a series of five games in 15 days. The Impact is 2-2-0 leading into this game.
This will be the second meeting between the two clubs this season, both at RFK Stadium. The Impact earned its first ever road point back on April 18 in a 1-1. D. C. United came from behind when Maicon Santos scored the equalizer in the 73rd minute, four minutes after Bernardo Corradi’s goal.
WATCH: Preview vs DC
News and Quotes
The Impact is coming off its first loss at Stade Saputo, falling to Canadian rivals Toronto FC 3-0 on Wednesday night, bringing its home record to 4-2-2.
“We are all very frustrated that we didn’t put a better effort forward at home,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “There is no time to fret about it though because we have two tough games coming up.”
“We were disappointed with the loss, but we have another match this Saturday, so we have to move on,” said Impact forward Eduardo Sebrango. “We have to come and play hard every night, starting against D.C. United.”
“We have to focus on the next game,” said Impact midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic. “We have to put ourselves in the best possible situation to win, by making sure we come out ready to compete on Saturday.”
In its last game on the road, the Impact felt 2-1 to Chivas USA in Los Angeles, on June 30. The Impact will be looking for its second win on the road Saturday.
READ : Bernier suspended one game
D.C. United stopped a four-game winning streak with a off a loss to the New York Red Bulls 3-2. Chris Pontius scored both goals for the black and red at Red Bull Arena last week.
At home, Ben Olsen’s team, who has been selected as head coach of the 2012 MLS All-Stars, has lost only once this season in nine matches (6-1-2). The last defeat came during the first game of the season versus Kansas City, 112 days ago.
D.C. leads the league with 31 goals scored so far this season with goals from Chris Pontius (8), Maico Santos (7), Canadian international and 2011 MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario (5), Designated Player Hamdi Salihi (4) and rookie Nick DeLeon (3). De Rosario also leads the league with nine assists.
Note that the MLS Reserve League game between both clubs scheduled on Sunday morning has been postponed.
Upcoming games
The Impact will play its next game at home, against Sporting Kansas City, on July 4, at 7pm (ET). New season ticket packages for all matches at Stade Saputo, as well as mini-season packages, are available via impactmontreal.com, or by calling 514-328-3668.
In addition, the Impact U21 team takes on Kingston FC this Sunday, at 2pm (ET) at CS St-Jean-Vianney, in RDP. The game is open to the public and admission is free of charge. The Impact is second in the Canadian Soccer League standings with a record of 4-1-3.
Game Notes
- The Montreal Impact is currently first among MLS teams with 244 fouls committed,
- Midfielder Patrice Bernier is tied for third in MLS with five assists.
- Midfielder Davy Arnaud is tied for first in the league with 44 fouls suffered.
- Midfielder Felipe is tied for second in MLS with 34 fouls committed, and is the only player to play every single minute for the impact this season.
- Impact head coach Jesse Marsch began his MLS career with D.C. United, scoring four goals in 15 games between 1996 and 1997.
- D.C. United has won four MLS Cups (1996, 1997, 1999, 2004), four Supporters’ Shields for the best regular season record (1997, 1999, 2006, 2007) and two U.S. Open Cup titles (1996, 2008)
- D.C. United assistant coach Pat Onstad played seven games with the Impact in 1995, in North American second division. He has also represented Canada at the international level, playing 57 games with the National Team.
- D.C. United defender Dejan Jakovic was born in Serbia, but raised in Toronto, Ontario. He has represented Canada at the international level 11 times, playing in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
- INJURY REPORT: OUT - D Matteo Ferrari (Right quad strain), Nelson Rivas (left knee) F Bernardo Corradi (Left knee torn ACL), Andrew Wenger (Left hamstring strain), Evan James (Left ankle sprain)
