Impact Faces The Aztex In Austin Saturday
Published on July 24, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact (6-8-3) plays against the Austin Aztex (3-9-6), Saturday at 8:30 pm, at Nelson Field, in Austin, Texas (USLlive.com).
In its last match, Wednesday at home, the Impact ended a five-game winless sequence by defeating the Cleveland City Stars 4-1. With this victory, Montreal has moved up to sixth position in the USL First Division standings.
"We need to forget the recent matches, both the good and bad ones, and be ready for a tough battle in Austin," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We will try to confirm what we started Wednesday against Cleveland. We tackle one match at a time. In the second half of the season, every team fought steadily for a spot in the series. Our destiny is in our own hands. "
"There's no doubt that our last victory gave confidence to all players," noted veteran defender Nevio Pizzolitto. "We feel that everybody is happier. It would be great to bring in this positive energy to our next match. We nevertheless remain cautious because we know that we will not win all our matches by scoring four goals."
This is the second matchup between the two clubs. On May 17, the Impact shut out the Aztex 4-0, at Saputo Stadium. Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic earned his first career victory and shutout with the Impact.
Djekanovic should play a fourth consecutive game Saturday, a 5th one with the Impact this season.
"This will be a difficult match due to the conditions, including the artificial turf and the heat in Texas," added Pizzolitto. "We need to find the way to get the three points because we need every point."
Team captain Mauro Biello is 62 minutes from the 25,000 minutes played mark with the Impact. He will be the first player in club history to set this record.
Defender Stefano Pesoli and midfielder Félix Brillant did not follow the team due to light knee injuries. Midfielder Rocco Placentino will also miss the game due to a thigh injury during the last match against Cleveland.
Midfielder David Testo was issued a fifth caution this season. He will join defender Adam Braz in serving an automatic one-game suspension next week.
Portuguese defensive midfielder Deodato and French right midfielder Zagahr are trying out with the Impact until August 6. They should play during the international matches against Bordeaux, July 28, and River Plate, August 4.
OTHER FACTS
- Austin is one of the two expansion teams in the league, the other one being the Cleveland City Stars.
- Austin lost in its three last matches. In their last game, July 18, in Minnesota, the Aztex lost 1-0 against the Thunder.
- Forward Eddie Johnson is the points leader with four goals and three assists for 11 points, ranking 5th in the league. He is also ranked first in the league in shots on goal with 42.
NEXT GAMES
- Saturday, July 25 - EA Guingamp @ FC Bordeaux - Olympic Stadium - 3 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)*
- Tuesday, July 28 - Bordeaux @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports)*
- Saturday, August 1 - IMPACT @ Miami - FIU Stadium - 8 pm (USLlive.com)
*International matches
USL First Division Stories from July 24, 2009
- Paulo Araujo Jr. Leads the Blues in Important Road Victory - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Thunder Breaks Three Game Winning Streak with a 2-1 Loss to Miami FC Blues - Minnesota Thunder
- Carolina Comes Up Short at Charleston, 2-1 - North Carolina FC
- Impact Faces The Aztex In Austin Saturday - Montreal Impact
- The 14th Champions Trophy Saturday at Olympic Stadium - Montreal Impact
- Match Preview: Aztex vs. Impact - Austin Aztex
- City Stars Travel To New York To Take On Rochester Saturday - Cleveland City Stars
- Timbers, Islanders Battle To Hard-Fought Draw - Portland Timbers
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