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Club de Foot Montreal

Impact Faces Chicago at Stade Saputo on Saturday

August 15, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club de Foot Montreal News Release


MONTREAL - There are a number of interesting story lines for this Saturday's game when the Montreal Impact (3-14-5) will host the Chicago Fire (4-5-13) at Stade Saputo at 6:30pm EDT (RDS2, TSN2, CJAD 800). The biggest of which could be the first game of new Designated Player Ignacio Piatti.

"Despite the loss in Philadelphia (last weekend), we played one of our best games this season," said Hassoun Camara, who returns to the lineup after missing the last game due to suspension. "With the win against C.D. FAS, we have to use that momentum to go get a result against Chicago."

Added motivation for the Impact can be found just about everywhere for this game. It's at Stade Saputo and head coach Frank Klopas, midfielder Justin Mapp, defender Krzysztof Krol, as well as newcomer Dilly Duka will be playing their former team, the latter for the very first time since being acquired in deal for midfielder Sanna Nyassi back on July 29.

"I'm taking it as any other game against an Eastern Conference opponent," said Duka. "We need a result. I think we are healthier and we had a good week of practice, so we'll be sharp and focused."

The former Fire trio and the rest of the group will have an added weapon to their arsenal on Saturday as Argentine midfielder Ignacio Piatti is expected to be available for the matchup. The Impact's new DP arrived on Wednesday and trained with his new teammates on Thursday and Friday.

"He brings a lot to the team," said Marco Di Vaio. "He's got a lot of quality and he moves well on the field. He can help us a lot. It shows his strong character taking the number 10. Montreal has been waiting for their number 10 for a while."

Not to be outdone, Chicago has also recently added a midfielder to its roster that includes rookie sensation Harry Shipp and striker Mike Magee in Romanian Razvan Cocis.

And with a midweek 6-0 loss at the hands of the Seattle Sounders FC in the U.S. Open Cup semi-finals, the Fire will be coming into Montreal like wounded animals.

"Chicago is a very athletic team," added Duka. "They are going to fight and kick for the entire 90 minutes. We are going to be in for a tough game, so we have to just stay focused and bring it."

Game notes:

- The Impact plays three games in eight days, travelling to El Salvador following Saturday's contest to take on C.D. FAS on Wednesday in Champions League play, before flying to New Jersey for a matchup against the New York Red Bulls, set for next Saturday.

- Midfielder Calum Mallace will serve a one-game suspension this Saturday after violating the MLS policy regarding entering field of play/leaving bench and technical area, last Saturday in Philadelphia.

- The Fire has just two wins in its last seven games across all competitions, coming in its last MLS regular season matchup versus the New York Red Bulls last weekend by a 1-0 score, allowing 15 goals over that span.

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