Impact hosts Puerto Rico in Quebec City
Published on August 13, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL, August 13, 2004 â For the third straight year and the fourth time overall in club history, the Montreal Impact will play a regular-season A-League game in the Quebec City area, Saturday afternoon, as the Puerto Rico Islanders will be the visitors at Laval University's PEPS Stadium (2:00 pm, CKAC). A total of 7,200 tickets had already been sold early this week. Last year's match-up in Quebec City attracted 8,623 spectators, a record for an Impact game played in the provincial capital.
"We're looking forward to seeing our fans in Quebec City," said head coach Nick DeSantis before his team's departure. "It's always great to get back in touch with soccer fans outside of Montreal. It's a festive atmosphere and the players love it.
"In fact, it's become sort of a tradition. Several of our foreign players take advantage of the event to stay over a couple more days and visit the city."
The Impact has never been defeated in Quebec City, with a record of two wins and one tie, without allowing a single goal.
This year's visitors, the Islanders, are into they first A-League season. The Impact beat them 2-0 in Puerto Rico on April 25, and then 1-0 on August 4 in Montreal. In that game where Fred Commodore was the night's only goal-scorer, DeSantis' squad had a 20-6 edge in shots, but only managed to beat goalkeeper Michael Ueltschey once. Ueltschey was Greg Sutton's back-up in 2002 with the Impact.
"We did well the last time out against them, but our finishing was lacking," said DeSantis. "We have to convert more of our scoring chances this time. We hope the goals are going to come in Quebec City and that we'll be able to give fans a good show."
After a 0-6-2 start to the season, the Islanders replaced Vitor Hugo Barros by Hugo Maradona at the coaching position, May 19. Since then, Puerto Rico has posted an improved record of 5-8-4.
The Impact will be coming into Quebec City with a undefeated streak of five games (4-0-1), good for an overall record of 14-4-5 and second place in the Eastern Conference standings. The team is one point behind the Richmond Kickers, but with two games in hand over the Virginia-based team.
"The team is still fighting for a playoff spot and first place," said DeSantis. "With only five games to go, each game is crucial."
USL First Division Stories from August 13, 2004
- Salty Dogs Rally To Beat Lynx in Overtime - Toronto Lynx
- Battery Fells Rhinos - Charleston Battery
- Impact hosts Puerto Rico in Quebec City - Montreal Impact
- Shorthanded Wave United battles to 2-2 tie with Whitecaps - Milwaukee Wave United
- Timbers clinch playoffs - Portland Timbers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
