Impact Plays Against The City Stars In Cleveland Saturday
September 4, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release
BEDFORD, Ohio - The Montreal Impact (10-10-6) plays its 27th game of the season Saturday against the Cleveland City Stars (3-16-7), at Middlefield Cheese Stadium, in Bedford, near Cleveland, at 2 pm (USLlive.com).
A win against Cleveland, combined with a loss or tie from Miami Saturday evening against Austin, would guarantee the Impact a spot in the playoffs.
"We want to secure our spot in the playoffs as soon as possible, in order to use all players during the upcoming matches," mentioned head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Everything is going well lately. I felt the wind turn after our 0-0 draw in Rochester, July 18 and everything is falling into place for us now. It will not be easy in Cleveland because we will be playing under difficult conditions, but we are already on playoff mode and we need to preserve that intensity until the end."
The Impact is living its best moments of the season, remaining undefeated in its last four matches (3-0-1). This sequence started with a 2-1 win, in Cleveland, August 18.
In its last match Wednesday, a goal from Leonardo Di Lorenzo led the Montreal team to a 1-0 against the Carolina RailHawks, which lost for the first time in 10 matches.
"Once again, this will be a very important game for us," said Di Lorenzo. "We want to get the three points in Cleveland. To do so, we'll have to play with the same energy we played against Carolina. The team spirit is very good and we need to keep up what we are doing to maintain it high."
Midfielder Patrick Leduc traveled with his teammates. He could play his first season match Saturday. Leduc played his last match August 27, 2008, against Nicaraguan club Real Esteli FC, in the CONCACAF Champions League. Leduc was nursing a stress fracture to his right foot, which had required surgery last May.
"I'm happy to be back because I put a lot of efforts to get there," explained Leduc. "I'm relieved because for a long time, I didn't know when I was coming back. My recovery was a bit longer than expected, but finally, I can join my teammates and help the team win. "
Defender Nevio Pizzolitto will serve an automatic one-game suspension against the City Stars, after having been ejected at the 90th minute of the match Wednesday, following two cautions. Pizzolitto is the all-time leader of the club in fouls (356), cautions (56) and ejections (9).
Marc Dos Santos has rested midfielders Leighton O'Brien and David Testo, who have not traveled.
With four regular season matches to play, the Impact is sixth in the USL First Division, with 36 points, one point ahead of the Vancouver Whitecaps and two behind the Rochester Rhinos, which won 2-1 against Portland, Thursday night.
The Impact will play its next game at home Wednesday against the Whitecaps (7:30 pm, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
OTHER FACTS
- The City Stars sit at the bottom of the standings with only three victories in 26 matches. In its last game, Cleveland lost 3-0, August 27, in Minnesota.
- In its first two matches against Cleveland, the Impact earned two wins: 4-1, July 22 at Saputo Stadium, and 2-1, August 18 in Bedford.
- Former Impact midfielder Pato Aguilera is the City Stars points leader with three goals and five assists, for 11 points in 23 matches. Last season with the Impact, Aguilera had only registered three points in 26 matches.
- The top seven teams in the standings will advance to the playoffs and the winner of the Commissioner's Cup (regular season champion) will earn a bye for the semifinal round.
THE LAST 3 REGULAR SEASON MATCHES
- Wednesday, September 9 - Vancouver @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
- Sunday, September 13 - Minnesota @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 3:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
- Friday, September 18 - IMPACT @ Carolina - 7 pm (USLlive.com)
USL First Division Stories from September 4, 2009
- Whitecaps held to 1-1draw - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Minnesota Thunder Tie Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 - Minnesota Thunder
- Miami FC Still Fighting for a Playoff Berth - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Impact Plays Against The City Stars In Cleveland Saturday - Montreal Impact
- Whitecaps Return to Minnesota Tonight - Vancouver Whitecaps
- City Stars Host Montreal Saturday At 2 P.M. During Fan Appreciation Day - Cleveland City Stars
- Ryan Pore equalizer out done by late Rhino goal in 2-1 loss - Portland Timbers
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