Impact Faces Baltimore Sunday
July 17, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact (5-6-5) plays it's second of four consecutive home games Sunday against Baltimore Crystal Palace (4-8-4), at Saputo Stadium at 2 pm (Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).
The Impact blanked the Carolina RailHawks 1-0 in the first game of this home stand, last Wednesday. Forward Peter Byers scored the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute.
"We are all aware that we have not had a great first half to our season, but we have started the second half strong on Wednesday with a win," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Our objective is to get all 12 points during our four games at home before we head back out on the road. If we want to earn the next nine available points, we have to be as aggressive as we were against Carolina, while remaining just as organize as well."
"During our last game, we were well organized and we created good scoring chances, and we were determined to get the three points," said defender Hicham Aaboubou, named Setanta Sports Player of the Match after the last game. "We know that if we work hard, we improve our chances of winning. We must be ready and energetic throughout the whole game in order to avoid making a mistake that might cost us."
The Impact sits in 3rd place in the NASL Conference with 20 points, four points ahead of Crystal Palace.
"We know what is at stake. If Baltimore wins, they are only one point behind us," added Dos Santos. "They are a team that plays well on the road and takes advantage of their counter attacks."
This is the first ever meeting between the Impact and the Baltimore Crystal Palace. Baltimore is one of three expansion teams this season.
Crystal Palace is in search of a victory after losing to the Puerto Rico Islanders 2-0 on July 9, and tying the Rochester Rhinos 0-0 on July 14. However, Baltimore has a better record on the road (3-4-3).
Crystal Palace's leading scorer Randi Patterson will not be playing in the game due to an automatic suspension resulting from his ejection during the match against Rochester last Wednesday.
Striker Ali Gerba, who joined the Impact on Thursday, will be in the lineup Sunday, while midfielder Antonio Ribeiro, who made his return with the Impact on Friday, will not be available.
Midfielders David Testo and Filipe Soares make their return to the lineup after missing the last game due to a suspension.
Defender Stephen deRoux was injured to the cheek Saturday morning during training and will not be available Sunday.
Goalkeepers Matt Jordan (groin) and Andrei Badescu (knee), along with defender Adam Braz (hip) are still sidelined due to injuries.
Both teams meet again on July 31 in Baltimore, August 11 at Saputo Stadium, and finally on August 21, back in Maryland.
Sunday's game will be played to a sold out crowd for the fourth time this season, where all 13,034 tickets have been sold.
Take note that fans in attendance for games on Wednesdays July 21, 28, and August 11, are invited to take advantage of $1 Lafleur hotdogs from the opening of the gates (6pm) until kickoff. Tickets for those matches are available through the Admission Network (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com) as well as at the Saputo Stadium ticket office.
OTHER FACTS
- Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic has played in the Impact's last nine games, all while Matt Jordan injured his groin, on June 2.
- The next start for midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo will be the 100th of his career with the Impact. He will be the 11th player in history to reach that mark. The other active players to have started 100 games include: Nevio Pizzolitto (222), Patrick Leduc (160) and Adam Braz (113).
- Baltimore has scored only 13 goals in 16 games this season, tied with St. Louis for last place in that category.
- Following the game against the Impact, the Crystal Palace will play its next three games at home, at UMBC Stadium.
- Baltimore's lineup includes some notable players including former Charleston Battery members Tsuyoshi Yoshitake and Randi Patterson, former Whitecaps Shaun Pejic and former Carolina RailHawk Santiago Fusilier.
- Moroccan forward Jawad El Hajri and defender Wesley Charles, originally from Saint-Vincent-et-les-Grenadines, are still on a tryout with the Impact.
NEXT THREE GAMES
- Wednesday, July 21 - St.Louis @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
- Wednesday, July 28 - Vancouver @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
- Saturday July 31 - IMPACT @ Baltimore - UMBC Stadium - 7 pm (palacebaltimore.com)
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 17, 2010
- RailHawks top Rhinos 1-0 in Rochester - North Carolina FC
- Aztex Blank AC St. Louis: Further Stretch League Lead - Austin Aztex
- Miami FC Earns Important Draw against Puerto Rico in Heroic Fashion - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- AC St. Louis Falls 2-0 To Austin - AC St. Louis
- AC St. Louis Falls 2-0 to Austin - AC St. Louis
- Impact Faces Baltimore Sunday - Montreal Impact
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