Impact Faces Rochester Rhinos Sunday
June 18, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact (4-3-3) plays its 11th regular season game Sunday versus the Rochester Rhinos (5-3-3) at Saputo Stadium (2pm, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).
On June 20, the Impact will honour Mauro Biello with a special tribute to his illustrious career with the club. In a pre-game ceremony the club will retire his jersey number (20). It's the first time in club history that the club will retire a jersey number.
The Impact is back in Montreal after playing its last two games on the road. The Impact lost 1-0 on June 9 to Minnesota, before beating the Rowdies 2-1 on June 12 in Tampa Bay.
This is the first game between both teams this season. But during training camp, the Impact lost 1-0 against the Rhinos at Paetec Park, on March 20, in a pre-season matchup.
Since the arrival of the Rochester Rhinos in 1996, the Impact has maintained a 26-15-7 record (57GF-41GA) versus their old rivals. In Montreal, the Impact has dominated the majority of its matches against Rochester, with a record of 18-3-2 (36GF-8GA).
The Rhinos, which are now coached by former Impact head coach Bob Lilley (2002 and 2003), are currently in fourth place in the USSF Second Division standings with 18 points. In their last game, the Rhinos defeated Baltimore 2-1 on June 12 in Rochester. Isaac Kissi, who had been suffering from a knee injury over the previous five games, scored twice in his USSF Second Division debut.
"There is a big rivalry between both teams, one of the biggest in the league," said Impact defender Simon Gatti. "We have not done well in our last two games at home so we want to come out stronger Sunday and get the three points. I'm expecting a very organized team. They will be compact and will wait for counter attacks. On our side it will be important to be patient and have good possession."
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan (groin) and team captain Nevio Pizzolitto (hip) will not be available for this game, due to injuries. Defender Stefano Pesoli, who has missed four games due to a toe injury, should be back in the lineup.
"It's never easy against Rochester and it should be a great game Sunday," noted Impact goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic, who played the last three matches. "The last win in Tampa Bay gave us a boost of confidence. We have been playing well defensively lately. We want to play another good game in the back and not concede any goal."
As part of Metro Day, 6,000 mystery gift cards will be distributed to Impact fans as they exit Saputo Stadium. Tickets for Sunday's game at Saputo Stadium are still available through Admission (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com), as well as at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office.
OTHER FACTS
- Mauro Biello announced his retirement on November 19, 2009, ending a 19-year career in professional soccer, including 16 seasons in the Montreal uniform. He played the 1999 season with Rochester and won the US Open Cup that year.
- On June 15, the Rhinos won their US Open Cup match versus the Dayton Dutch Lions. The Rhinos will play the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on June 22 in their second round match.
- The Impact was eliminated by the Rhinos in the playoffs four times (1996, 1998, 2002 and 2003). In 2004, Montreal got the best of their rivals, winning 1-0 in both opening round matches.
- Defender Stephen deRoux is only 25 minutes away from the 5,000-minute career mark played in the USSF-D2.
- As part of the "PROCURE Walk for the Cure", the Impact will wear blue PROCURE laces. Those laces will also be on sale at the Saputo Stadium boutique for $5. The proceeds will go toward the fight against prostate cancer.
NEXT THREE MATCHES
- Saturday, June 26 - IMPACT @ Carolina - WakeMed Park - 7pm (carolinarailhawks.com)
- Wednesday, June 30 - Vancouver @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
- Saturday, July 3 - IMPACT @ Rochester - Paetec Park - 7pm (rhinossoccer.com)
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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 18, 2010
- Aztex Square off Against Miami FC for Second Time This Season - Austin Aztex
- A Rowdies Tradition Returns: Fireworks on the Fourth - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Impact Faces Rochester Rhinos Sunday - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks Host Crystal Palace Baltimore Saturday Night - North Carolina FC
- Stars Cancel Exhibition Game with Fire - Minnesota United FC
- Palace Baltimore to Face RailHawks in First Local Derby - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Crystal Palace Baltimore To Play Upcoming Match At Calvert Hall - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Stars Fight Off Timbers To Claim 1-0 Win - Portland Timbers
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