Impact Faces St. Louis Wednesday
July 20, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact (5-7-5) plays the third of four consecutive home games against AC St. Louis (3-9-4), Wednesday at Saputo Stadium, at 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).
The Impact faces St. Louis for the second time this season The Impact dropped its first ever meeting in St. Louis, on July 10, at Anheuser-Busch Park, by a score of 3-0.
"Whether it's St. Louis or any other team, we want to win all games," declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We have to refrain from playing with the fear of losing. We have to play with passion, and if we do, the results will come."
"We have no choice but to play aggressively if we want to win," said Philippe Billy. "We have to be strong mentally, especially during the difficult moments. Soccer is played with the head, especially against an opponent like St. Louis. We want to make sure that we show them that we weren't too happy about losing to them the way we did."
In the first game of this home stand, the Impact blanked the Carolina RailHawks 1-0 on July 14, but then lost to Baltimore 2-1 last Sunday.
"We have to be more consistent. We can't permit ourselves to play one good game, and then lose two," said team captain Nevio Pizzolitto. "I feel that all the players are committed and want the team to be successful. We have to help ourselves by allowing fewer goals against."
St. Louis will play its third of four consecutive games on the road. Since the road trip began, St. Louis tied Minnesota 2-2, on July 14, and was shutout 2-0 by Austin on Saturday.
Impact newcomers, forward Ali Gerba, midfielder Antonio Ribeiro, along with defender Wesley Charles, who joined the Impact on July 15, 16 and 19 respectively, will all be in the lineup Wednesday.
Defender Adam Braz, who missed the last two games due to a hip contusion, should be in the line-up as well.
Defender Stephen deRoux suffered a fracture to his left cheek bone, after he was struck by an accidental elbow Saturday morning during practice. He will miss four to six weeks of action.
Midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo, who left the game against Baltimore in the 43rd minute with a calf injury, will miss about a week, while rookie midfielder Kevin Cossette sprained his right ankle Monday morning and will miss approximately two weeks of action.
On St. Louis side, forward Jeff Cosgriff will miss the game due to suspension after being ejected from the team's last match, while forward Chris Salvaggione, who has scored two goals in his last three games, suffered an injury to his right ankle against Austin.
The Impact is currently in third place in the NASL conference with 20 points, while St. Louis is last in the division with 13 points.
Fans in attendance Wednesday night, as well as on July 28 and August 11, will be privy to a $1 Lafleur hot-dog promotion, starting from 6 pm (when the doors open) until kickoff. Tickets for those matches are available through the Admission Network (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361- / admission.com) as well as at the Saputo Stadium ticket office.
OTHER FACTS
- French midfielder William Nkake, originally from Cameroon, is currently trying out with the Impact.
- Goalkeeper Matt Jordan, sidelined since June 2 with a groin injury, returned to practice with his teammates this week, and could be available for the game against Vancouver next Wednesday.
- As expected, Quebec midfielder Pierre-Rudolph Mayard will return to the Impact on the 15 or 16 of August, after being loaned to the Charleston Battery (USL-2).
NEXT THREE GAMES
- 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)
- Saturday, August 7 - IMPACT @ Carolina - WakeMed Park - 7 pm (Radio-Canada, carolinarailhawks.com)
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 20, 2010
- Timbers Begin Extended Road Stretch Thursday at Vancouver - Portland Timbers
- Whitecaps FC Set to Renew Portland Rivalry - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Impact Faces St. Louis Wednesday - Montreal Impact
- Rowdies Acquire Sanchez & Steele From Vancouver - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- NSC Minnesota Stars Look to Avenge Loss to Puerto Rico Islanders - Minnesota United FC
- RailHawks Announce Second Annual "Taste of the Triangle" - North Carolina FC
- AC St. Louis Acquire Defender Chris Schuler on Loan - AC St. Louis
- Whitecaps FC Trade Sánchez and Steele - Vancouver Whitecaps
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