Impact Faces The Whitecaps Wednesday In Vancouver
Published on May 26, 2009 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release
VANCOUVER - The Montreal Impact (0-2-0) faces the Vancouver Whitecaps (1-1-0), in its third game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, Wednesday, at Swangard Stadium (Live at 10:30 pm: Sportsnet; tape delayed at 11 pm: Radio-Canada).
The Impact needs a win in order to stay in the race to earn a second consecutive championship.
"We have a mature team. We may have lost the last game, but we know why," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We are confident about getting a positive result if we play well during the full 90 minutes. We need to keep believing. With a win Wednesday we can continue dreaming about the title for at least one more week."
In the last game between both teams, May 20 at Saputo Stadium, the Impact was shut out 2-0. Forwards Marcus Haber (1st minute) and Charles Gbeke (17th minute) had both scored in the first half.
"We will have to be cautious so as not to make the same errors as last Wednesday," noted Dos Santos. "We know the Whitecaps well. We are aware of their strengths and weaknesses. We will need to keep a close eye on the movement of their two forwards and midfielders. Offensively, we will have to make them pay for their mistakes. We have good chances of winning if we score. We must absolutely capitalize on our opportunities."
Defender Nevio Pizzolitto will miss the game Wednesday due to an automatic one-game suspension, after receiving two yellow cards in the first two tournament games.
Defender Cédric Joqueviel, as well as midfielders David Testo and Rocco Placentino, did not travel with the team to Vancouver due to thigh injuries.
Young Quebec players Alex Surprenant and Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, as well as young Gambian forward Pa Amadou Gai, traveled to Vancouver.
"It will be tough, especially with a few important players absent from the lineup," added Dos Santos. "All players, without exceptions, will need to give their full potential. Some players will have to take advantage of the opportunity they are given."
Midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo followed the team to Vancouver after recovering from a thigh injury. Di Lorenzo has not played since May 2 in Puerto Rico.
The Impact starts a four-game streak on the road. The club will be back home June 18 to play its last Nutrilite Canadian Championship game against Toronto FC, at Saputo Stadium.
OTHER FACTS
- On May 13 in Toronto, the Impact lost its first game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship 1-0 against Toronto FC (MLS).
- The Montreal Impact, Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps are facing each other in a six-game tournament for a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League.
- Since the arrival of Vancouver (86ers, which became the Whitecaps) in the league, in 1993, the Impact has maintained a 20-9-5 regular season record.
- Various players have played for the other team. From the Impact, midfielders Joey Gjertsen, David Testo and Tony Donatelli, as well as forward Eduardo Sebrango and goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic have already played for the Whitecaps, whereas Caps forward Charles Gbeke and midfielder Martin Nash have played in Montreal.
NEXT GAMES
- Wednesday, May 27 - IMPACT @ Vancouver - Swangard Stadium (live at 10:30 pm: Sportsnet; taped delayed at 11 pm: Radio-Canada)
- Saturday, May 30 - IMPACT @ Rochester - Paetec Park - 7:35 pm (USLlive.com)
- Thursday, June 4 - IMPACT @ Portland - PGE Park - 10 pm (USLlive.com)
- Thursday, June 18 - Toronto @ IMPACT - 8 pm (Sportsnet, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)*
*Nutrilite Canadian Championship
USL First Division Stories from May 26, 2009
- Timbers To Host Recently Promoted Premiership Club Burnley July 25 - Portland Timbers
- Thunder Finish Home Stand Against Puerto Rico Sunday - Minnesota Thunder
- Impact Faces The Whitecaps Wednesday In Vancouver - Montreal Impact
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