Whitecaps Prepare For Montreal Impact Re-Match
May 25, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
Vancouver Whitecaps FC men (1W-1L-0D) look to claim a second victory in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship when they host Montreal Impact (0W-2L-0D) on Wednesday evening.
Teitur Thordarson's side put themselves back in the hunt for the Voyageurs Cup title, as early goals by Marcus Haber and Charles Gbeke gave the Whitecaps an important 2-0 victory over Montreal at Stade Saputo last Wednesday. The win put Vancouver into sole possession of second place in the three-club competition - three points back of leaders Toronto FC. It was also the club's first victory in four tries at Montreal's soccer-specific stadium.
The result in Quebec sets up an equally vital encounter between the two USL First Division outfits this week. While the 'Caps have the chance to draw level on points with TFC with a win, the Impact must repeat their efforts of last season and win at Swangard, if they are to have any chance of defending their Canadian title and returning to the CONCACAF Champions League. While Montreal lost three USL-1 regular season and playoff encounters at Swangard last season, their 2-0 away win over the Whitecaps on June 25 was crucial to the Impact's success in the inaugural Canadian Championship last year.
Wednesday's clash will be the 42nd meeting between the two clubs, with the Impact still leading the all-time series of results with 23 wins, 12 defeats, and six draws. This includes Montreal's all-time record of 13 wins, seven defeats, and one draw versus the Whitecaps at Swangard.
REPEAT PERFORMANCE
Toronto FC's two home wins in this year's competition left the Whitecaps in need of maximum points from their three remaining matches to have any chance of winning the Voyageurs Cup. With the first hurdle being successfully negotiated in Montreal, Thordarson's side must look to repeat that fine win with another victory on home turf. Should the 'Caps claim victory, they would draw themselves level on six points with TFC in the standings and eliminate the Impact from this year's competition at the same time.
A draw between Vancouver and Montreal would be less desirable, but would keep the 'Caps in the tournament, as well as end the Impact's hopes of a title defence. That scenario, however, would leave Thordarson's men in a must-win situation versus TFC at Swangard on Tuesday, June 2, while the Major League Soccer club would only need a draw in Vancouver to claim the championship. Defeat to Montreal would significantly reduce the Whitecaps chances of winning the tournament, while keeping the Impact's faint hopes still hanging by a thread. Should that be the case, a home victory against TFC would also be required in Vancouver's final championship match.
Results are not only the aim for the Blue and White, but scoring plenty of goals in the process could be equally as essential in the final tally of the tournament. "I thought it was a huge bonus to score two goals in Montreal last week," Thordarson told whitecapsfc.com. "I thought we could have been 4-0 up last week. Yet, we know that no one game is like the other, so this return match will be very tough for us. It will be a game where both teams will have to take some risks, so that will make for an interesting contest."
WHITECAPS
Where the reward for their efforts was missing during the recent defeat to Rochester Rhinos, Thordarson's side made the breakthrough early and decisively at Stade Saputo. The Icelandic tactician feels his side may just be coming into form. "I have a feeling that the players are coming together so well as a team, that we can count on some very good performances to come," he said. "I had this feeling before last week's game, so it's a good feeling to have as a coach. The progress has been coming slowly and surely, but we've seen some very good things in the last couple of games."
Thordarson will have to adjust his backline for the visit of Montreal, as centre back Wesley Charles is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the club's first two championship games. Four other Whitecaps players are also carrying yellow cards and may face a suspension, if they receive a booking on Wednesday. They include Gbeke, Gordon Chin, Justin Moose, and Martin Nash.
The good news on the centre back front is that Jeff Parke and Marco Reda are both available for selection, with the pair overcoming respective head injuries. A further boost for Thordarson is that right fullback Lyle Martin is in consideration to make Vancouver's 18-player squad after a lengthy recovery from a broken foot injury. Midfielder Kenold Versailles is also back in training after overcoming a nerve problem in his leg. Striker Marlon James, however, remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while winger Vicente Arze is also questionable for Wednesday with a hamstring problem.
IMPACT
Though just eight matches into the new season, the Impact's 2009 campaign is already providing a contrast to the successes experienced in 2008. A poor start to the USL-1 season saw the club suddenly part ways with John Limniatis as head coach, with his dismissal coming a day after Montreal's defeat at TFC. Though interim head coach Marc Dos Santos may have led the Impact to their first win of the season against Austin Aztex, the Quebec club are in need of turning their form around in a hurry.
Like the Whitecaps situation in the tournament last year, only wins will do for Montreal. Though the deficit of two defeats from four matches may prove insurmountable for the Impact to overcome, Dos Santos has not given up on his team's title defence just yet. "It isn't over for us," he told the Impact's official website. "We keep our hopes up and we will fight until the end. It's still possible, so we have to believe in it."
One area where Montreal will look to improve is converting their chances. The Impact felt they were a bit unlucky in last Wednesday's defeat, having struck the Vancouver crossbar three times, while squandering several openings during the second half. With a week to prepare for the Swangard showdown, the Impact should provide a sterner test for their hosts. "I thought Montreal played very well against us last week," Thordarson said. "They even said after the match that it was their best game of the season, so that's how big of a win it was for us."
Dos Santos will have the services of midfielder David Testo for Wednesday's game. The former Whitecaps midfielder - who scored the crucial second goal for Montreal in last year's corresponding fixture - missed last week's loss following his red card at TFC. However, the visitors will be without captain and centre back Nevio Pizzolitto, as he is suspended after collecting two yellow cards in the competition. Striker Roberto Brown is on one yellow card and will also be suspended for Montreal's final tournament match at home to TFC, should he receive a booking at Swangard.
FAMILIAR FACES
One of the many common ties between Montreal and Vancouver has been the number of players that have played for both clubs in recent years. The current Whitecaps squad have two players in Nash and Gbeke that have had previous spells with the Impact.
Montreal, meanwhile, have five former Whitecaps players in their squad. Midfielders Testo, Tony Donatelli, and Joey Gjertsen were all members of the 2006 USL-1 champion Whitecaps squad before heading east to Quebec. The trio were joined this season by goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic and experienced striker Eduardo Sebrango. The former Cuban international returned to the Impact in the offseason after leading the 'Caps to a second USL-1 championship title in three seasons last year. Sebrango was also Vancouver's top goalscorer in 2008, having found the net 16 times in all competitions during the course of the campaign.
THREE MORE TO PLAY
Like last season, the Whitecaps and Impact will see a lot of each other during the course of 2009. After the completion of Wednesday's Canadian Championship match, the Whitecaps and Impact will meet three more times in USL-1. Montreal return to Vancouver for the clubs' third meeting of the season on Sunday, June 7. The next contest sees the two Canadian rivals meet again at Stade Saputo for a special 'Soccer Day in Canada' clash on Saturday, June 20. The final regular season encounter also takes place at Stade Saputo on Wednesday, September 9.
TICKETS SELLING FAST...
There are less than 1,000 tickets available for Wednesday's game at Swangard, with sales having picked up since the Whitecaps victory in Montreal. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets in advance by visiting their nearest Ticketmaster outlet or by purchasing online.
Wednesday's Nutrilite Canadian Championship match between the Whitecaps and Montreal Impact at Swangard Stadium kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PDT. Whitecaps individual match tickets start at just $19 and are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, and by phone at 604.280.4400 or 1.800.663.9311. CLICK HERE for information on our individual match tickets.
You can also save over 20 per cent off the regular box office price with the purchase of a 2009 Whitecaps Match Pack. Choose up to five matches at Swangard and be part of the action - even if you can't make all of this season's games. CLICK HERE for information on our Whitecaps Match Packs.
You can also save up to 35 per cent off the single game ticket price with the purchase of a 2009 Whitecaps Group Package. Benefits include reserved seating, a personal ticket representative, group leader incentives, and prize giveaways. Whether your group is 15 or 1,000 people, we can ensure that your Whitecaps experience will be a truly memorable one. CLICK HERE for information on our 2009 Group Packages.
Wednesday's match between the Whitecaps and Impact can also be seen live on Rogers Sportsnet & Sportsnet HD. The match will also be streamed live online at radio-canada.ca and shown as a delayed broadcast at 11:30 p.m. PDT on Société Radio-Canada. *Please note that the Radio-Canada broadcasts will be in French commentary.*
USL First Division Stories from May 25, 2009
- Whitecaps Prepare For Montreal Impact Re-Match - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Rhinos Welcome The Impact For Home Opener - Rochester Rhinos
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