Impact Faces Austin in Quarterfinals Wednesday at Saputo Stadium

October 5, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release


MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact (6th, 12-11-7) kicks off the defense of the league title on Wednesday, in its home match of the USSF Second division quarterfinal series versus the Austin Aztex (3rd, 15-7-8), at Saputo Stadium, at 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).

The second game of this home-and-away aggregate goal series will take place Saturday in Austin, Texas, at 8:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).

These two clubs faced off last Sunday in the final match of the regular season. Montreal blanked the Aztex 2-0. This will mark the first time these two clubs meet in the playoffs.

"A new season starts on Wednesday and it will be a battle," declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "I think that we have the advantage of starting the series at home in front of our fans. They helped us last season during the playoffs and have always made a difference at Saputo Stadium, so we'll be counting on the 12th man once again. We want to start this series with a good result so that the pressure rests on the Aztex shoulders."

The Impact is playing its best soccer of the season, having won six of its last seven regular season matches. During that sequence, the Impact scored 16 goals, while allowing only three. The Impact has not allowed a goal in its last three games (277 minutes).

"We are very strong as a team and as a group. Right now, it's tough to play the Montreal Impact," said midfielder Tony Donatelli, who finished the season as the club's second-highest scorer with 17 points. "We know what to expect Wednesday. They are a team capable of scoring goals."

"Everything is going well for the team right now and we are heading into the playoffs with lots of confidence," said Impact team captain Nevio Pizzolitto. "We want to repeat as league champions, but to do that, we'll have to take it one half at a time. Our first battle is against Austin and we know that it won't be easy. We are ready to defend our title."

Montreal has a lifetime postseason record of 23-17-5, winning three championships in 1994, 2004 and 2009.

In 2009, after finishing the season in 5th place, with the same record (12-11-7), the Impact eliminated the Charleston Battery in the quarterfinals (4-1), the Puerto Rico Islanders in the following round (4-2) and captured the championship by beating the Vancouver Whitecaps (6-3).

"We gained a lot of experience last year and the lessons we learned may be quite useful when faced with key situations in this year's playoffs," added Dos Santos. "We have a lot of respect for Austin and we are expecting to see their best players on the pitch. That's why we will have to continue to play well defensively. That being said, I'm convinced that we have what it takes to win this series."

Austin was winless in its final nine road games (0-5-4). Their last road victory dates back to June 26th versus Miami FC. However, Austin led the league in goals this season with a total of 53.

Forward Edward Johnson finished the season as the top Aztex points leader with 14 goals and four assists, for 32 points. Johnson missed the final game against the Impact due to a minor concussion suffered on September 25th versus AC St-Louis but should be available Wednesday.

Aztex forward Randi Patterson, who received a red card in the last match against the Impact, will serve a one-game suspension tomorrow.

Excellent tickets for Wednesday's match are still available via Admission Network (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com) or at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office.

OTHER FACTS

- The winner of the series between the Impact and the Aztex will face in the next round the winner of the series between the Carolina RailHawks (2nd) and the Minnesota Stars (7th).

- The Montreal Impact wrapped up the season with the league's fourth-best defense, after allowing 30 goals in 30 matches, while shutting out the opponent 11 times.

- The Impact finished the second half of the season in first place in the NASL division, with a record of 8-5-3, for 26 points.

- Defender Philippe Billy logged the most playing time with 2,423 minutes. Tony Donatelli, Hicham Aaboubou, Nevio Pizzolitto and Leonardo Di Lorenzo also surpassed the 2,000-minute mark this season.

- Striker Ali Gerba, who joined the team on July 15, finished the season as the club's top scorer with nine goals and an assist, for a total of 19 points.

- This will be the first playoff game in Austin's brief history. In 2009, the Aztex finished the season in 10th place (5-17-8, 21 PTS).

- In the other three quarterfinal series : the Rochester Rhinos (1st) face the Puerto Rico Islanders (8th), the Carolina RailHawks (2nd) face the Minnesota Stars (7th), while the Portland Timbers (4th) face the Vancouver Whitecaps (5th).

- During the playoffs, all players benefit from having their yellow cards wiped out.



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from October 5, 2010


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