Impact Visits Silverbacks Wednesday in Atlanta
Published on June 7, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Montreal Impact News Release
ATLANTA - The Montreal Impact plays its ninth regular season game against the Atlanta Silverbacks, Wednesday at 7:30pm at Atlanta Silverbacks Park (live streaming: atlantasilverbacks.com).
It will be the first of four matchups between both teams in 2011. The Impact has a winning record of 20 wins, four losses and one tie (53GF-23GA) in 25 games against the Atlanta franchise, between 1995 and 2008.
The Impact has a record of eight wins, four losses and one tie in Atlanta. The Silverbacks did not play in North American second division in 2009 and 2010 after being put on hiatus by the owners.
"Atlanta is a team that will be looking to play well in front of its fans, so we'll need to be very careful," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We think that if we do all the little details well, just like we did against Edmonton, we will be in a good position to win the game and head to Puerto Rico with confidence."
Last Saturday, the Impact won 2-0 shutout against FC Edmonton, at Saputo Stadium. Forward Mignane Diouf and defender Philippe Billy both scored their first career regular season goal with the Impact.
"It's going to be a difficult game; you really can't look at the standings," said goalkeeper Bill Gaudette, who reached 40 career wins and 30 career shutouts in North American second division against Edmonton. "They have played a lot of close games recently and to be honest, I think they are a dangerous team. They have a tough field to play on, it's going to be hot and they will be dying to get some points. We will need to have the right set of mind."
The Atlanta Silverbacks are currently last in the overall standings with a record of seven losses and two ties in nine games for a total of two points. Atlanta is still looking for its first win of the season.
In their last regular season game on Saturday, the Silverbacks lost 2-0 against the Minnesota Stars in Atlanta. The club is currently on a five-game scoreless streak. The Silverbacks have not found the back of the net since defender Willie Hunt's goal in a 1-1 tie against FC Tampa Bay on April 30.
Four players did not travel with the team: defenders Richard Pelletier and Nevio Pizzolitto, midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer, as well as striker Ali Gerba.
Pelletier suffered a hamstring strain against Edmonton. Team captain Nevio Pizzolitto is out of the lineup with a hip injury. Kreamalmeyer will also miss the game due to fractured foot.
Striker Ali Gerba is currently with the Canadian National Team for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Canada will face USA on Tuesday in Detroit, then Guadeloupe on June 11, at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, and Panama, on June 14, in Kansas City.
U21 Impact defender Maxime Tissot traveled with the team to Atlanta.
Following this game, the Impact will travel to Puerto Rico on Thursday to face the Islanders on June 12 at 6:05pm.
The team will play its next home game at Saputo Stadium against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, on June 18, at 2:30pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports). Tickets for this game are still available through Admission Network (admission.com / 514-790-1245) or at Saputo Stadium's ticketing office.
OTHER FACTS
- Gaudette is currently leading the NASL with four shutouts.
- With an assist in the last game, midfielder Antonio Ribeiro is currently in 10th place tied with John Limniatis and Patrice Bernier in Impact history with 12 career assists.
- U21 Impact players: goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, midfielder Marco Lapenna and defender Ismail Benomar, left for Mexico for the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup. In the group stage, Canada will face Uruguay on June 19, England on June 22 and Rwanda on June 25.
THREE NEXT GAMES
- Sunday, June 12 - IMPACT @ Puerto Rico Islanders - Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium - 6:05pm
- Saturday, June 18-Fort Lauderdale Strikers @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 2:30
- Sunday, June 26 - IMPACT @ FC Edmonton - Foote Field - 4:05pm
North American Soccer League Stories from June 7, 2011
- Huge Game as FC Edmonton Take on League Leaders - FC Edmonton
- Impact Visits Silverbacks Wednesday in Atlanta - Montreal Impact
- Strikers Announce Inaugural Amateur Tournament - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- NSC Minnesota Stars Players to Participate in Date Auction Thursday - Minnesota United FC
- Barbara Named May's NASL Player of the Month - North Carolina FC
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.
