Portland Timbers – Montreal Impact
Saturday, March 9, 10:30pm (ET)
JELD-WEN Field
TV: TVA Sports
Radio: 98,5FM
Web/Mobile: illico web, illico mobile and MLS Live
Viewing party:Champs Sports Bar
PORTLAND, Oregon – The Montreal Impact will play its second game of the season Saturday at 10:30pm (ET) against the Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field. The game will be broadcast live on TVA Sports and 98,5FM, and is also available on illico web, illico mobile and MLS Live.
"We have quality on our side"
“I saw a team that put a lot of pressure on New York,” said Impact head coach Marco Schällibaum. “Portland is a team with a lot of heart and will be a little bit unhappy to have not won that game. We respect all the teams, but we are not afraid as we also have quality on our side.”
“The feeling should be the same as it was in Seattle,” said Troy Perkins. “We will have to manage the atmosphere and the emotion. Winning last week helped us realize that we can get a result on the road. Last season’s struggles are in the past.”
“It was an ideal start for us to get a win in one of the toughest places to play, and now we have another opportunity to get a result and keeps the momentum going in another tough place to play,” said Davy Arnaud. “Playing in front of good crowds like this one is always fun and easy to get up for.”
Impact news
The Impact followed its Disney Pro Classic title with a win in its first matchup of the 2013 season, beating the Sounders FC in Seattle 1-0 last Saturday. Captain Davy Arnaud scored the lone goal of the game, lobbing the ball over goalkeeper Michael Gspurning following a chip by midfielder Felipe.
The goal was nominated for MLSSoccer.com’s Goal of the Week and Arnaud’s performance made him a selection to MLSSoccer.com’s Team of the Week. Impact head coach Marco Schällibaum also earned the weekly team honour following his first career win in MLS.
READ: Impact highlights vertical movement on winning goal in Seattle
Impact goalkeeper Troy Perkins, who earned the shutout versus Seattle, will be returning to his old stomping grounds, having played 51 games for the Timbers in 2011 and 2012.
With a win in Portland, the Impact could reach its season total for road victories from last season (2-12-3).
Injury Report: OUT – M - Sinisa Ubiparipovic (calf); D -Maxim Tissot (shoulder); D - Nelson Rivas (knee); QUESTIONABLE – M – Justin Mapp
Head-to-head
In the only matchup between these clubs last season, the Impact won 2-0 on April 28 at Olympic Stadium on goals by Bernardo Corradi and Sinisa Ubiparipovic. This will be the only regular-season meeting between these teams in 2013.
The two clubs met 15 times in the North American second division, between 2001 and 2010, with Montreal having a 4-8-3 record (8GF, 16GA).
Portland Timbers news
In its season opener, the Timbers came from behind 3-1 in the second half to earn a draw with the New York Red Bulls last weekend. Darlington Nagbe (2) and the newly acquired DP Diego Valeri scored in the club’s home opener.
The Argentinean playmaker Valeri is not the only new face in Portland this year as there have been a lot of changes made in the Rose City for 2013.
Former Scottish international John Spencer was relieved of his duties midseason and in came Caleb Porter, former head coach of the United States U-23 team and previously head coach of the men's soccer team at the University of Akron to take over the reins.
READ: New faces, same goals in Portland
Gone were the likes of Scottish internationals Steve Smith (option declined) and Designated Player Kris Boyd (contract terminated), along with trades sending defenders Kosuke Kimura and Eric Brunner and forward Robbie Findley out of town in trades, while releasing or declining options on Lovel Palmer and defender Steve Purdy.
In order to fill those roster spots, Michael Harrington (Sporting KC), midfielder Will Johnson (Real Salt Lake), forward Ryan Johnson, goalkeeper Milos Kocic (Toronto), midfielder Ben Zemanski (Chivas USA), defender Ryan Miller from Halmstads (Sweden) and former Manchester United stalwart Mikael Silvestre all joined the team.
Next Game
The team back to Montreal to host Toronto FC in its home opener at Olympic Stadium on Saturday, March 16 at 4pm (ET). The Impact announced Wednesday that less than 8,000 tickets are still available for the matchup.
Promotion
Excellent tickets still remain in top seating categories. Please note that a free scarf will be given to all those who purchase a pair of category 1 and category 2 tickets (Navy Blue $72 and Royal Blue $52) for the game only by contacting the sales team at 514-328-3668 or 1-866-955-4672 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Season tickets
2013 season tickets are still available in seven categories, at a cost of $295, $385, $475, $580, $770 and $1070. You can assure your spot for the 2013 season by contacting the Impact’s sales and services team at 514-328-3668. Show your support for your club by paying for your tickets using your Montreal Impact BMO credit card.
