The Impact Plays The Decisive Quarterfinal Game Saturday In Austin
October 8, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
AUSTIN, Texas - The Montreal Impact (6th, 12-11-7) is playing the decisive match of its home-and-away aggregate goal series versus the Austin Aztex (3rd, 15-7-8), Saturday at House Park, in Austin, at 8:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, 98,5FM, THE TEAM 990).
In the first match of this USSF Second Division quarterfinal, last Wednesday at Saputo Stadium, two goals from striker Ali Gerba led the Impact to a 2-0 win.
"Wednesday's result placed us in a good position but nothing has been won yet," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Austin is a tough place to play because the field is small, which helps their style of play, but at the same time we know what to expect. We are going to Austin to win the match and the series, not to defend our lead."
"All the small things will count," declared Impact midfielder Rocco Placentino. "Every touch on the ball, each free kick, each corner will be important. We can't neglect any details and we have to be concentrated during the whole match. It will be a very intense match."
The Impact has won seven of its last eight matches. During that sequence, the Impact allowed only three goals. The Impact has not conceded a goal in its last four matches (367 minutes).
"The team is playing very well defensively," said Philippe Billy, the 2010 Impact MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. "We will have to play the second match with the same desire to restrain Austin to score. We want to control the pace of the match by controlling the ball and take advantage of our opportunities to increase our lead."
With this win, Montreal has a now lifetime postseason record of 24-17-5.
The winner of the series between the Impact and the Aztex will face in the next round the winner of the series between the Carolina RailHawks (2nd) and the Minnesota Stars (7th). The two teams will matchup Saturday at 7pm, in North Carolina. The first game ended 0-0.
In the first leg of the other quarterfinal series in the USSF-D2, the Vancouver Whitecaps (5th) beat the Portland Timbers (4th) 2-0, while the Puerto Rico Islanders (8th) shut out the Rochester Rhinos (1st) also by a 2-0 score.
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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from October 8, 2010
- The Impact Plays The Decisive Quarterfinal Game Saturday In Austin - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks Meet Minnesota Saturday - North Carolina FC
- Puerto Rico and Vancouver Both Earn First Leg Wins in USSF D-2 Pro League Postseason - USSF D-2
- Whitecaps FC 2 Open Playoff Series with 2-0 Win - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers Defeated 2-0 by Whitecaps in First Round Opener - Portland Timbers
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