Impact Plays Decisive Match Against Whitecaps Wednesday in Vancouver
Published on May 3, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Montreal Impact News Release
VANCOUVER, British-Columbia ¬" The Montreal Impact plays the decisive match of the home-and-away aggregate goal series versus the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS) in the semifinal of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, Wednesday at 11pm (Eastern time) at Empire Field (Sportsnet East, Pacific & ONE).
The four Canadian teams are facing each other in two semifinal series. The two winning teams will play in the tournament final and will fight for a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Last Wednesday, the Impact lost the first game of the series 1-0, at Saputo Stadium. Whitecaps midfielder Terry Dunfield scored the only goal of the match.
¬ÅWe know that the odds are not in our favour after losing the first game, but in high level sport, everything is possible. Nothing has been played yet, ¬Â said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. ¬ÅThere are still 90 minutes to play on the field. The team that will show more passion will have more success. We hope to leave Vancouver with a positive result. ¬Â
In its last NASL game, the Impact won 5-0 against FC Edmonton, Sunday night at Foote Field. Ali Gerba (2), Anthony Le Gall, Nevio Pizzolitto and Idriss Ech Chergui scored in that win.
In their last MLS match, the Whitecaps lost 2-1 to the Columbus Crew, Saturday, in their 8th game of the season. The 2011 MLS SuperDraft first overall pick, Omar Salgado, scored his first career and Vancouver ¬â¢s lone goal in that loss.
Forward Reda Agourram (thigh) and midfielder Hassoun Camara (thigh) are not available due to injuries. They did not travel to the West Coast.
In the other semifinal series of the championship, Toronto FC shut out Edmonton 3-0, last Wednesday. Both teams will matchup again tomorrow at BMO Field in Toronto.
The Impact will then face Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and the New York Red Bulls at Saputo Stadium on May 11 at 7:30pm. Excellent tickets are still available for the game, starting at $20, through Admission Network (admission.com / 514-790-1245) or at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office.
OTHER FACTS
¬Â¢ After winning the title in 2008, the Impact has not been able to win the tournament in 2009 and 2010. The Impact ¬â¢s first title brought them to the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals against Mexican club Santos Laguna. Montreal played in front of 55,571 fans on Feb. 25, 2009 at Olympic Stadium
Forward Camilo is currently tied for third in MLS with three goals, while his teammate, midfielder Davide Chiumiento, is second in the league with five assists.
NEXT THREE MATCHES
¬Â¢ Wednesday, May 11 ¬" New York Red Bulls @ IMPACT ¬" Saputo Stadium ¬" 19:30pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)*
¬Â¢ Saturday, May 14 ¬" Carolina RailHawks @ IMPACT ¬" Saputo Stadium ¬" 2:30pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
¬Â¢ Saturday, May 21 ¬" IMPACT @ FC Tampa Bay ¬" Al Lang Stadium ¬" 7pm (fctampabay.com)
*Friendly game
North American Soccer League Stories from May 3, 2011
- FC Edmonton Has Work to do Against Toronto FC Wednesday Night - FC Edmonton
- Impact Plays Decisive Match Against Whitecaps Wednesday in Vancouver - Montreal Impact
- NSC Minnesota Asks Fans to Share Their Stories - Minnesota United FC
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