Impact Faces Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday
June 11, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
TAMPA BAY - The Montreal Impact plays the second game of its two-game road trip, Saturday, against the Tampa Bay Rowdies at George Steinbrenner Stadium (7pm, fctampabay.com).
Tampa Bay is one of three expansion teams in the league this season. The Rowdies are back after playing in the North American Soccer League (NASL), from 1975 to 1984.
In its first game on the road, the Impact was shut out 1-0 by the Minnesota Stars, Wednesday, allowing a goal in the 87th minute. The Impact has not won in its last three USSF Second Division games.
"We want to end the trip on a positive note," said Impact midfielder Patrick Leduc. "We did not play a bad game against Minnesota but we are missing confidence in front of the net. This group has overcome many obstacles in the past and we have faced even greater difficulties so I'm confident that we will bounce back."
Tampa Bay is second in the league's standings with a record of five wins, two losses and three ties. The Rowdies are also ranked second in the league with 17 goals scored.
"We are going to face a team that has played well since the beginning of the season. They are very organized and have been successful at home," noted Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Following our recent results we need to react and win some games. We need to play as a team and find solutions to score goals. Everyone is aware of what they have to do. I am confident that things will fall back into place."
In their last match, the Rowdies ended a seven-game sequence without a loss, losing 1-0 against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Forward Aaron Wheeler leads the Rowdies in points with four goals and one assist.
There are currently no injured players within the Rowdies roster but midfielder Jeremy Christie, 27, will miss Saturday's match. He is taking part in the FIFA World Cup with the New Zealand national team.
The two clubs will matchup for the first time in Montreal on September 19, at Saputo Stadium.
The Impact will play its next home game on Sunday, June 20, against the Rochester Rhinos.
OTHER FACTS
- Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan (groin), defender Stefano Pesoli (foot) and midfielder Tyler Hemming (healthy scratch) did not accompany the team on its two-game road trip.
- Midfielder Felipe Soares has been handed four yellow cards this season. His next yellow card will result in a one-game suspension.
- The Impact Academy plays its next match on Saturday at 1pm, when the Ste. Catherine Wolves will be the visitors at Saputo Stadium. So far this season, the Academy has a 1-1-4 record in six contests.
- Following this trip, head coach Marc Dos Santos will travel to Belfast, Ireland, to finish is UEFA A License, from June 14 to 19.
NEXT THREE MATCHES
- 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)
- Wednesday, June 30 - Vancouver @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 11, 2010
- Impact Faces Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday - Montreal Impact
- Home Teams for 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Second Round Matches Determined - Austin Aztex
- Miami FC to Host the MLS-Bound Portland Timbers - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps FC Face Austin Aztex in Texas on Saturday - Vancouver Whitecaps
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