Impact Faces the Rhinos in Rochester Saturday

Published on August 13, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release


ROCHESTER - The Montreal Impact (6-9-7) faces the Rochester Rhinos (11-5-6), Saturday at Marina Auto Stadium, in Rochester at 7pm (rhinossoccer.com).

With eight matches to play this season, Montreal is currently tied for 7th spot in the overall standings with 25 points, along with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the Puerto Rico Islanders.

In its last game Wednesday at Saputo Stadium, the Impact and the Baltimore Crystal Palace tied 0-0.

"We did everything in that match, except score. I hope that luck will finally be on our side Saturday," said rookie forward Reda Agourram, who has scored in the last match in Rochester. "One goal in a match can make a big difference because it is a fine line between a win and a loss."

"We feel that at some point, something has to give soon. It has to, because we are creating so many scoring chances," declared striker Ali Gerba. "The chemistry on the field is getting better with every game. We have to learn how to win together. With the group of players that we have it is only a matter of time. We can not start to panic."

This is the third matchup of the season between both teams. The Impact will try to get its first win against the Rhinos. The two teams tied 1-1 on June 20 in Montreal, before losing 2-1 in Rochester, on July 3. In these two matches, the Impact led the Rhinos 9-2 and 13-7 in shots.

Rochester is second in the overall standings, after losing only five times and conceding only 16 goals in its first 22 games of the campaign. At home, the Rhinos have lost only twice at Marina Auto Stadium.

The Rhinos won their last three games by shutout: 1-0 versus the RailHawks in North Carolina on July 27, then 1-0 against the Portland Timbers on August 4 at home and 2-0 again against the RailHawks, on August 11 in Cary.

"We know that it won't be easy tomorrow," added Agourram. "Rochester is a team that plays well at home but we are confident that we can breakdown their last line of defense and get the three points."

Defenders Nevio Pizzolitto and Adam Braz will be back in the lineup Saturday after serving an automatic one-game suspension, for receiving their fifth yellow card of the season.

Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic did not travel to Rochester with his teammates due to a light concussion.

Defenders Stephen deRoux (cheek) and Simon Gatti (groin), as well as striker Marco Terminesi (appendicitis) are still out of the lineup due to injuries.

Note also that the Impact Academy (4-8-4) will face Brampton Lions (5-8-2), Saturday at 1 pm, at Saputo Stadium.

OTHER NOTES

- The two clubs will meet one last time on August 27, at Saputo Stadium.

- Since the arrival of Rochester in the league in 1996, the Impact has maintained a record of 26-16-8 (59GF-44GA).

- The Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley was the head coach of the Impact during the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

- Goalkeeper Neal Kitson registered six shutouts so far this season. Kitson is third in the league with a GAA of 0.747 in 12 matches. His teammate Scott Vallow is second with an average of .700 in 10 games.

- Forward Isaac Kissi is currently the team's leading scorer with four goals and two assists, for 10 points.

THE NEXT 3 GAMES

- Saturday, August 21 - IMPACT @ Baltimore - 7 pm

- Friday, August 27 - Rochester @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30 pm

- Wednesday, September 8 - IMPACT @ Puerto Rico - Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium - 8 pm

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from August 13, 2010


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