Impact Faces Miami FC in Florida Saturday
July 31, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release
MIAMI, Florida - The Montreal Impact (6-8-4) faces Miami FC (7-8-3), Saturday, at FIU Stadium, in Miami (8 pm, USLlive.com).
There is only a two-point difference in the standings between both teams. With a win, the Impact would be back in 6th position in the USL First Division standings.
In its last game against Miami July 23, a goal from Nevio Pizzolitto at the 80th minute allowed the Impact to earn a 1-0 win, at Saputo Stadium. On April 24 in Florida, the Impact lost 2-1, in Florida.
Montreal has not lost in its last two matches on the road, registering a 0-0 tie, July 15 in Rochester and a 2-2 tie in Austin, July 25.
"I think that if we want to be successful from now to end of the season, we will need to have good results on the road," noted veteran defender Nevio Pizzolitto. The match against Miami is therefore another opportunity to earn key points. We have learned from our mistakes and lately we are playing better on the road. We play with confidence in attack, while continuing to be solid defensively."
In its last match against FC Girondins de Bordeaux, July 28 at Saputo Stadium, the Impact gave an impressive performance by standing up to the French Champions, in a very close game that ended with a 2-1 loss.
"We need to approach this game with the same attitude than when we faced Bordeaux," noted Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "I hope that game will gear us towards a positive sequence."
"We need to work hard and stay focused during 90 minutes," mentioned young midfielder Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, who earned at least one point in the last two regular season games. "We have to find the way to always be ready no matter who the opponent is. We will be motivated in Miami because we are aware of the stakes of this match."
In its last match, July 26 in North Carolina, Miami FC was shut out 4-0 by the RailHawks. In its recent home game stretch, from July 4 to 19, Miami FC maintained a 1-1-2 record, in four matches played at the FIU Stadium.
"We are playing against a team that is fighting like us for a place in the playoffs, therefore it's a game we need to win," added Dos Santos. "We will need to make the right choices on the field and try to make them pay on dead ball situations."
Team captain Mauro Biello is 62 minutes away from the 25,000 minutes played mark in his career with the Impact. He will be the first player in club history to register this record.
Defender Cédric Joqueviel (thigh), as well as midfielders Stephen deRoux (face), Félix Brillant (knee) and Patrick Leduc (foot) did not travel with the team to Miami due to injuries. deRoux suffered a light fracture of a bone in the left cheek during the match in Austin. He will not play for a period yet to be determined.
Midfielder David Testo and defender Adam Braz will also miss the game. They are both serving a one-game suspension due to an accumulation of five cautions. Testo was the only player in the club who had played all 18 matches this season.
Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic, who played the last four regular season matches, should play against Miami FC Saturday.
OTHER FACTS
- The Austin Aztex were issued a two-point penalty in the standings for using midfielder Michael Callahan, an ineligible player, during the July 25 match against the Impact.
- The Impact has a 5-1-4 record (9GF-4GA) against the Florida team, which is playing a fourth season in its short history.
- This season, the Florida team plays its local games in three different stadiums: FIU Stadium and Tropical Park Stadium, in Miami, as well as Lockhart Stadium, in Fort Lauderdale.
- Forward Paulo Araujo Jr. and midfielder Leonardo Nunes are the Miami FC point leaders with nine points each. Araujo Jr. is also the best scorer of the club with four goals.
- Former Impact player Alen Marcina scored three goals in 17 matches up to now this season.
NEXT GAMES
- Tuesday, August 4 - River Plate @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30 pm (corussports.com, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)*
- Sunday, August 9 - Minnesota @ IMPACT -Saputo Stadium- 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
- Wednesday, August 12 - Portland @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
*International match
USL First Division Stories from July 31, 2009
- 'Caps Beat Rhinos - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers Face Minnesota on the Road Saturday - Portland Timbers
- Impact Faces Miami FC in Florida Saturday - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks to face Austin on Saturday - North Carolina FC
- City Stars Host Vancouver Whitecaps Saturday - Cleveland City Stars
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
