Impact Plays Decisive Match of Semifinal Sunday in Cary
October 16, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
CARY, North Carolina - The Montreal Impact plays Sunday the second and decisive match of its semifinal series against the Carolina RailHawks, at WakeMed Soccer Park, in Cary, at 6 pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).
Thursday at Saputo Stadium, the Impact shut out the RailHawks 1-0 in the first match of this aggregate-goal series. Midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo gave the Impact the lead by scoring on a free-kick in the 35th minute of play.
"I am expecting the RailHawks to put pressure on us in order to score that first goal to even up the series," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos, who has eight playoff wins in as many games with the Impact. "We will try to score as well in order to avoid having to defend a 1-0 lead during 90 minutes. We have the confidence to go out and get the victory in Carolina. Despite the physical play in the first match, our team held its composure and I am expecting the same attitude on Sunday."
"Games between the Impact and Carolina are similar to games in Europe because both teams like to move the ball, while teams from around here usually play a more direct style," said Philippe Billy, who has accumulated two yellow cards so far in the 2010 playoffs. "Therefore, it's normal that tackles are a little tougher and play is a littler rougher in an effort to regain possession and control of the match. I think that Carolina is a very balanced team like the Impact."
The Impact has won nine of its last 10 matches. During that stretch, the club scored 22 goals, while allowing only five against.
"We really want to get to the championship final for a second consecutive year, so we have to give all we've got on Sunday," said veteran defender Adam Braz, who is only 67 minutes away from the 2,000-minute played mark in the playoffs with the Impact."It will be another physical game and we have to expect and be ready for it. Even if we have played well defensively over the last few games, we are not going there to defend our lead but to win the game."
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who left the last game due to a groin injury, will make the trip down to Carolina.
The winner of this semifinal series will face, in the championship final, the winner of the other semi between the Vancouver Whitecaps (5th) and the Puerto Rico Islanders (8th). The first game ended in a 0-0 draw in Bayamon. The return game is set for Sunday, in Vancouver, at 7 pm (Eastern time).
OTHER FACTS
- Only Nevio Pizzolitto (2,680 minutes) and Mauro Biello (2,516 minutes) have played 2,000 minutes in the playoffs with the Impact.
- If there is a tie after the two games, there will be two 15-minute halves of extra time. If still tied, there will be penalty kicks.
- The championship will also be a home and away aggregate series, scheduled for the weekends of October 23 and 30.
- In the playoffs: 3 yellows = 1-match suspension, 6 yellows = 1-match suspension.
- In the quarterfinal series, the Impact defeated the Austin Aztex 5-2 on aggregate goals (2-0 in Montreal and 3-2 in Austin).
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from October 16, 2010
- Impact Plays Decisive Match of Semifinal Sunday in Cary - Montreal Impact
- Whitecaps FC Look to Win Semifinal at Home - Vancouver Whitecaps
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