Impact Faces The Minnesota Thunder Sunday At Saputo Stadium

August 8, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release


MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact (6-8-5) faces the Minnesota Thunder (3-9-6) Sunday at 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).

"The teams that are close to us in the standings didn't get good results lately, so it's up to us to take the chance that we are given," declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Our team is on the right track, after a series of good performances recently. We must now make sure to win and add three points. The Thunder is an excellent team that we need to respect."

The Impact is playing under the .500 mark in 13 matches against the Minnesota Thunder (4-5-4, 19 GF - 16 GA), since the club's arrival in 1997. The Impact has not won in its last eight matches against Minnesota (0-5-3) and has only scored five goals.

In its last match against the Thunder, the Montreal club was shut out 3-0, July 11 in Minnesota.

"The last time we matched up against the Thunder, we hadn't played a good game," noted midfielder Simon Gatti. "We can come back on Sunday and show to the league that the last game against them was a mistake. We are therefore all very motivated, especially since we will be playing for a playoff spot in the upcoming matches."

"We know that this team works hard, so if we want to have a chance to win, we need to put more effort than they will," added Gatti. "Whether it's against the Thunder or other teams in our league, we need to play at the same level than when we faced Bordeaux or River Plate."

In its fourth and last international match this summer, Tuesday against AC River Plate, the Impact stood up to the prestigious Argentinean club, tying 1-1 after the regular 90 minutes.

In its last four-match home streak, the Thunder maintained a 2-1-1 record. In its last match, August 1, the Thunder tied 1-1 against the Portland Timbers.

Team captain Mauro Biello, who played 50 minutes in Miami, is 12 minutes away from the 25,000 minutes played mark with the Impact. He will be the first player in club history to register this record.

Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic, who played the last five regular season games, should play against the Thunder Sunday.

Midfielders Stephen deRoux (face), Tony Donatelli (toe) and Patrick Leduc (foot) will not be available due to injuries.

OTHER FACTS

- Defender Cédric Joqueviel was back in the lineup Tuesday against River Plate, after missing the 19 previous matches due to a thigh injury. This was his first regular season start since May 17 against Austin.

- In its last regular season match, the Impact tied 1-1 against Miami FC, August 1, at FIU Stadium.

- The Impact remains undefeated in five matches against the Thunder at home (3-0-2, 11 GF - 2 GA).

- Midfielder Ricardo Sanchez is the Thunder points leader with five goals and four assists, for 14 points.

- A former Impact player, Canadian defender Andres Arango plays with the Thunder. He played 12 matches and 848 minutes up to now this season.

NEXT GAMES

- Wednesday, August 12 - Portland @ IMPACT -Saputo Stadium - 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)

- Saturday, August 15 - IMPACT @ Puerto Rico - Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium - 8 pm (USLlive.com)

- Tuesday, August 18 - IMPACT @ Cleveland - Middlefield Cheese Stadium -7 pm (USLlive.com)



USL First Division Stories from August 8, 2009


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