Impact Faces Minnesota Stars Wednesday

June 8, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release


MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact plays its first of two games on the road, Wednesday, versus the Minnesota Stars (8pm, nscminnesota.org).

The Impact has lifetime record versus Minnesota that sits just above ,500 in 16 matches (6-5-5, 23 GF - 18 GA), dating back to when the franchise was named the Thunder from 1997 to 2009. In eight games played in Minnesota, the Impact has only one win, back on August 31, 1997.

"Playing in Minnesota has caused us problems in the past and it's never easy playing against them on their field, but we hope to put an end to that streak on Wednesday," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos.

This will be the second match between the two clubs this season. On May 8, in Montreal, midfielder Rocco Placentino scored two goals (79th and 90th minute) to lead the Impact to a 2-1 victory.

The Impact has not posted a win in its last two USSF Second Divison games. After losing 2-0 to the Carolina RailHawks, Montreal and Miami played to a 1-1 draw last Sunday at Saputo Stadium.

But on its most recent road trip, the Impact collected four out of a possible six points on the west coast, after tying Vancouver 0-0 and beating Portland 1-0.

"We did fairly well on our last road trip and I'm confident that we can return to Montreal with points in the bank," added Dos Santos. "To have regular season success, you absolutely have to find a way to win on the road."

"Our goal for this road trip is to collect six points," mentioned Philippe Billy. "Whether at home or on the road, we want to win all of our games. We always prepare with the same winning attitude because we're an ambitious club that doesn't accept poor results. Being together on the road for an entire week will do us some good. We'll have a chance to bond, which is always a positive thing for a team."

The Stars are currently in fifth place in the USL division, having lost seven of their 12 matches this season. At home this season, Minnesota has a 2-2-1 record. The Stars have surrendered 19 goals since the beginning of the season, the highest total in the league.

Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan (groin), defender Stefano Pesoli (foot) and midfielder Tyler Hemming (healthy scratch) did not accompany the team on its two-game roadtrip to Minnesota and Tampa Bay.

Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic is expected to start on Wednesday. In 13 career matches with the Impact, he has a 7-2-4 record, including six clean sheets.

The Impact will then face the Tampay Bay Rowdies on Saturday at 7 pm.

OTHER FACTS

- With 121 career shots with the Impact, midfielder Rocco Placentino is ninth on the club's all-time list.

- In their last game, the Minnesota Stars played to a scoreless draw versus the Rhinos, June 4 in Rochester.

- Midfielder Neil Hlavaty is the club's top scorer so far this season with three goals.

- Midfielder Kyle Altman leads the league in minutes played, tallying 1075 out of a possible 1080 minutes, over 12 games.

- Goalkeeper Louis Crayton (knee) and defender Vorgen Less (Achilles tendon) have suffered season-ending injuries.

- Former Impact defender Andres Arango currently plays for the Stars. He played for Montreal from 2003 to 2007.

- The Montreal Impact Academy plays its next match on Saturday at 1pm, when the Ste. Catherines Wolves will be the visitors at Saputo Stadium. So far this season, the Academy has a 1-1-4 record in six contests.

THE NEXT 3 MATCHES

- Saturday, June 12 - IMPACT @ Tampa Bay - G. Steinbrenner Stadium - 7pm (fctampabay.com)

- Sunday, June 20 - Rochester @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 2pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)

- Saturday, June 26 - IMPACT @ Carolina - WakeMed Soccer Park - 7pm (carolinarailhawks.com)



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 8, 2010


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