THE GAME AT A GLANCE
• Impact midfielder Antonio Ribeiro, who was starting his first game since June 14 following a thigh injury, scored the lone goal for Montreal at the 32nd minute, his third of the season. The Mariners struck back at the 71st minute on a goal by Greg Simmonds.
• The Impact is in first place in USL D1 standings with 39 points, seven more than the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have played two more games.
• This is the 8th meeting between the two teams since the Mariners moved to Virginia Beach, before the start of the 2003 season. The Impact has a .500 record against the Mariners since 2003 (2-2-3).
THE OPPONENT
• The Virginia Beach Mariners are currently fighting for a playoff spot. They are 5th in the United Soccer Leagues First Division with a record of 7-5-7, good for 28 points, tied with the Atlanta Silverbacks and the Puerto Rico Islanders. The first six teams in the standings will earn a post-season berth.
• The Mariners are unbeaten in their last five games at home (3-0-3).
• The Mariners missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Last year, Virginia Beach finished in 11th place among 12 teams, with a 7-14-7 record.
PRE-GAMES COMMENTS
HEAD COACH NICK DE SANTIS
“Even with the adjustments that we will have to make, hopefully we will be able to approach the game with the same mentality as we did Friday. Once again, we will have to show discipline defensively and it will be important to finish our scoring chances. It will be good if we create half of the chances we had Friday night. We will try to take control early in the game.”
MIDFIELDER LEONARDO DI LORENZO
“We played well so it will be important to have the same attitude tomorrow. On their side, I expect that they will make some changes on defense. We had at least five one-on-one rushes with their goalkeeper so their defenders will make some adjustments. We will have to work even harder to get good scoring chances.”
MIDFIELDER MESUT MERT
“We have to capitalize on our scoring chances to make things easier for us. We have to stick to the basics and keep possession of the ball like we did Friday if we want to win the game. It’s great if you dominate your opponent but you have to score. The team is still motivated because we were disappointed to let two points go. We want to carry this motivation into tomorrow’s game.”
IN OTHER NOTES
• Impact head coach Nick De Santis will not be on the bench on Sunday due to a one-game suspension following incidents that occurred after Friday’s game. Assistant coach Peter Pinizzotto will coach the team tomorrow.
• Impact midfielder Antonio Ribeiro will miss the next two games and defender Mauricio Vincello will miss tomorrow’s game due to cards received Friday.
• Midfielder Zé Roberto and defender Adam Braz will be back in the line-up since they have completed their suspensions for cards.
OUT OF THE LINE-UP
Team – Player (Position) – Reason – Status
MTL - Mauricio Vincello (D) – Accumulation of yellow cards – 1-game suspension
MTL - Antonio Ribeiro (M) – Red card and accumulation of yellow cards – 2-game suspension
MTL - Nevio Pizzolitto (D) - Accumulation of yellow cards – last game of a 2-game suspension
MTL - Daniel Antoniuk (F) – concussion - will miss at least 1 week
MTL - Gabriel Gervais (D) – groin - will miss at least 2 weeks
MTL - Greg Sutton (G) - fractured index finger - could return in August
MTL - Jason DiTullio (D) – knee - season over
NEXT GAME
Wed. Aug. 9 – Rochester @ Impact – Claude-Robillard Sports Complex – 7:30 pm
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
