Impact Faces Tampa Bay Sunday at Home
September 18, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact (9-11-7) faces the Tampa Bay Rowdies (6-10-11) Sunday at Saputo Stadium, at 2 pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990). The game will be played in front of a sell out crowd for the 6th time this season, as all 13,034 tickets have been sold.
With only three games remaining in the regular season, the Impact sits in 7th place in the USSF Second Division standings with 34 points. The Impact could confirm its playoff spot with a win against Tampay Bay, if St. Louis loses or ties Austin tonight.
"We need to qualify for the playoffs as early as possible," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We have played many important games over the last few weeks, but Sunday will be the most important so far. We are very aware of Tampa Bay's strengths, who count on strong players such as Christie, Sanchez and Steele.
In its last four games, the Impact scored 11 goals and conceded only two goals.
"We want to win this Sunday and we have the confidence to go out and get the three points against Tampa Bay," said Impact team captain Nevio Pizzolitto. "Defensively, we have played well recently and the attack has scored some big goals."
"I am feeling good but the success we've had over the last few games was a team effort," said forward Eduardo Sebrango, who scored three goals in the last five matches. "We have played well with ball possession. The last games in Porto Rico and Miami were difficult, but the calendar for the remainder of the season favours us. That could be beneficial once in the playoffs."
This will be the second match up between these two clubs this season. On June 12, the Impact beat the expansion team from Florida 2-1 at George Steinbrenner Stadium.
The Rowdies have not won in their last nine games (0-3-6). Tampa Bay has won only one game on the road since May 22 and the team's last win came against the Miami FC on July 25.
Midfielder David Testo will be available for Sunday. The caution he was given last game was the 4th of the season according to league statistics.
Defender Simon Gatti will be out for the remainder of the season. He will be forced to undergo a surgical procedure to correct a sports hernia. He will be sidelined for about three months. Midfielders Filipe Soares (knee) and Pierre-Rudoph Mayard (toe) should miss the game due to injuries.
The Impact will play its next game its next game on Friday, September 24 in Vancouver and will then conclude the regular season on October 3 against the Austin Aztex, at Saputo Stadium. Tickets are still available through the Admission network (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com) or the Saputo Stadium ticket office.
OTHER FACTS
- Four teams have clinched playoff spots: the Rochester Rhinos (51 points), the Austin Aztex (50 points), the Vancouver Whitecaps (44 points) and the Portland Timbers (42 points).
- Forward Ali Gerba has tallied 15 points (7-1-15) in the last four games. The club's record for the most consecutive games with at least a point belongs to Nick De Santis with six games.
- Central defender Hicham Aaboubou is only 57 minutes away from the 2,000 minutes played mark on the season. He will become the third Impact player to reach that mark this season, after Philippe Billy (2,198) and Tony Donatelli (2,117). Aaboubou has started the last 13 games.
- Tampa Bay is one of three expansion teams to join the league this season. The Rowdies made its return to professional soccer after playing in the North American Soccer League (NASL) from 1975 to 1984.
- Head coach Paul Dalglish's club drew its last game 1-1, after a goal by Aaron King in the dying seconds of the second half equalized the score against the Austin Aztex, last Thursday in Tampa Bay.
THE LAST 3 GAMES
- Sunday, September 19 - Tampa Bay @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 2pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
- Friday, September 24 - IMPACT @ Vancouver - Swangard Stadium - 10:30pm (Radio-Canada, whitecapsfc.com)
- Sunday, October 3 - Austin @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium- 2pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from September 18, 2010
- Stars defeat Whitecaps - Vancouver Whitecaps
- NSC Minnesota Stars win third straight, 1-0 over Vancouver - Minnesota United FC
- Portland extends unbeaten streak with second-ever win in Puerto Rico - Portland Timbers
- Aztex Drop Road Game to AC St. Louis, 2-1 - Austin Aztex
- AC St. Louis Score Dramatic 2-1 Win Over Austin - AC St. Louis
- Stars top Whitecaps 1-0 to win third straight - Minnesota United FC
- Four Different RailHawks Score in Victory, Baltimore Ends Scoreless Drought - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- RailHawks Cruise Past Baltimore 4-2 - North Carolina FC
- Impact Faces Tampa Bay Sunday at Home - Montreal Impact
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