Impact Visits the Stars Friday in Minnesota
Published on July 21, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Montreal Impact News Release
BLAINE, Minnesota - The Montreal Impact will play its 17th regular season game, Friday at 8:30pm (Eastern time), against the Minnesota Stars, at the National Sports Center, in Blaine, Minnesota (live streaming: nscminnesota.com).
This is the first of four matchups between both teams in 2011. The Impact has a record of six wins, six losses and five ties (23GF-19GA) in 17 games against the Minnesotan franchise, since 1997. Montreal has only won once in nine games (1-6-2) all-time in Minnesota.
"This is an important game because we need to add points. We want to head there with a good mentality and not give anything to the opponent," said Impact head coach and sporting director Nick De Santis. "We must play well defensively and also create scoring chances. They are in front of us in the standings, but we want to do well and continue to progress. Everyone needs to give his best."
"We are facing an unfamiliar team because we have not faced them yet this season. This will be the beginning of a new battle," said midfielder Anthony Le Gall, the only Impact player to have played in all 16 games this season. "It's important for us to take the lead right from the start and to show them that despite our current place in the standings, we are difficult to beat. We must show them that we are there to bring back the three points in Montreal."
In its last regular season game, Sunday, the Impact tied the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-2, where Eduardo Sebrango scored two goals.
"We have lost our concentration in crucial moments and that has been letting us down over the last few games. We need to maintain that over 90 minutes to have a better chance of winning games," added midfielder David Testo.
The Minnesota Stars are currently fourth in the NASL overall standings with a record of five wins, four losses and seven ties in 16 games.
In their last game, last Sunday, the Stars were shut out 1-0 by the Puerto Rico Islanders, in Blaine, ending a five-game unbeaten streak at home.
Stars midfielder Ely Allen will be sidelined for the next four to six weeks due to a knee injury. Midfielder Andrei Gotsmanov is also out with an ankle injury, while defender Kevin Friedland has recovered from a high ankle sprain and could be available Friday.
Goalkeeper Bill Gaudette (ankle), midfielder Lorenzo Di Lorenzo (thigh) and forward Reda Agourram (groin) will miss the game due to injuries.
"If we put a good performance tomorrow and get a positive result, we will start a home streak on a very good confidence booster," added De Santis.
Following the game in Minnesota, the Impact will play five consecutive games at home. The team will play its next home match at Saputo Stadium against the Puerto Rico Islanders, on July 31, 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.
On another note, the Impact U21 team will play its next game against the Serbian White Eagles this Saturday at 1pm at Saputo Stadium. Fans can attend this game for a cost of $4 for adults and $2 for children. The Impact U21 is still first in the Canadian Soccer League overall standings with a record of 8-3-3.
NEXT THREE GAMES
- Sunday, July 31 - Puerto Rico Islanders @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 2:30pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
- Saturday, August 6 - Minnesota Stars @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 8pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
- Wednesday, August 10 - FC Tampa Bay @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
North American Soccer League Stories from July 21, 2011
- Impact Visits the Stars Friday in Minnesota - Montreal Impact
- Minnesota Stars Ready for Impact - Minnesota United FC
- Edmonton Looking for First Win Against RailHawks - FC Edmonton
- Nevio Pizzolitto Acquitted by CSA Disciplinary Committee - Montreal Impact
- Chivas Guadalajara and Juventus FC to Practice at WakeMed Soccer Park - 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.
