Montreal Impact – LA Galaxy
Saturday, May 12, 2012, 4pm (ET)
Olympic Stadium, Montreal
Broadcast: TSN/RDS and CJAD radio
Also available on: illico Mobile
IMPORTANT
Management strongly advises that those attending Saturday’s game arrive at least an hour before start time, in order to avoid missing the beginning of the game. Please note that stadium doors open at 2pm ET.
MONTREAL, Quebec – The Montreal Impact faces off against the LA Galaxy on Saturday at 4pm (ET), at Olympic Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on TSN and RDS, on CJAD radio, and is available on illico Mobile.
This will be the first meeting between the two clubs in regular season action, following a 3-0 preseason win for the Impact in California on February 14.
Pregame : MTL - LA
“I expect us to be sharp on Saturday,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “I know the Galaxy well from playing against some of those guys, and living out in LA. They are a dangerous team in the offensive zone, and we have to make sure that we don’t give them opportunities to do the things they do well, like taking fouls near the box for David Beckham. “
News and Quotes
The Impact (3-5-2) is coming off a 2-0 loss to Toronto FC in the second leg of the 2012 Amway Canadian Championship last Wednesday, effectively eliminating them from the tournament, but the team is undefeated in its last three regular season games, including a big road win versus Sporting Kansas City 2-0 last Saturday.
The Galaxy (3-5-1) is winless in its last three games but has never lost three consecutive games under head coach Bruce Arena.
“They are very good team despite a slow start for them,” said midfielder Justin Mapp. “They have a lot of experience and are dangerous offensively with David Beckham and Landon Donovan and they will be fired up to play this matchup coming off of a loss from last weekend. It’s going to be a great atmosphere on Saturday with a great crowd.”
This match will be Impact goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts’ first game against his former team since being acquired in a trade in the offseason, winning the MLS Cup in 2011 and named Goalkeeper of the Year in 2010 as a member of the Galaxy. The Jamaican goalkeeper is currently on a two game shutout streak (198 minutes).
“I try to approach this game like it’s just another game,” said Ricketts. “We need the three points. If we do the things that we did well over the last few regular season games, we will be successful.”
The Galaxy’s backup goalkeeper, Bill Gaudette played with the Impact in 2011, going 2-5-2 in nine games. He has taken over the reins for Josh Saunders, who is out indefinitely due to personal reasons.
More than 60,000 tickets sold
The Impact confirmed Friday that over 60,000 tickets have been sold for the matchup versus the LA Galaxy. A few hundred standing room only tickets for this game are still available and can be purchased only by calling 514-328-3668, Saturday between 9am and 1pm, or at the Olympic Stadium ticket office.
Management strongly advises that those attending Saturday’s game arrive at least an hour before start time, in order to avoid missing the beginning of the game. Please note that stadium doors open at 2pm ET.
On the following Saturday, May 19, the Impact will play its final game at Olympic Stadium, at 7:30pm, against the New York Red Bulls. On that day, the Impact will be avenging its loss to New York on March 31.
The club will play its first game at Stade Saputo, expanded to 20,341 seats, on June 16 against the Seattle Sounders FC. New 12-game season ticket packages for all matches at Stade Saputo are available via impactmontreal.com, or by calling 514-328-3668.
The Impact Soccer schools at the Olympic Stadium Saturday
In collaboration with Olympic Park, the Montreal Impact will host its Soccer Schools (EDS) at Olympic Stadium, Saturday at 9am, 11am and 7:30pm, just pre and post-game against the LA Galaxy.
Youth soccer players (U6 to U16) will take advantage of a 90-minute training session on the very same field that will be used by the pros.
Game Notes
- Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts has played every single game for the Impact this season, earning three shutouts over all competitions, and is currently tied for sixth amongst MLS goalkeepers with 31 saves. Ricketts donned the Galaxy colours from 2009 to 2011, playing in 70 regular season games. He recorded 35 wins, 15 losses and 18 ties, on top of earning 27 shutouts.
- Forward Sanna Nyassi is only one yellow away (four total) from a one-game suspension.
- The Impact is currently tied for first among MLS teams with 152 fouls committed and sixth with 47 shots on goal and 130 shots.
- The Galaxy has now lost back-to-back games – something they did not do in the entirety of the 2011 season. The last time they lost consecutive matches came Aug. 21-28, 2010. It’s their second three-game winless run of the campaign (also April 14-28).
- The Galaxy still have yet to record a shutout this season. After nine games last year, they already had four shutouts, on their way to 17 over the 34-game season – tying the all-time MLS record.
- Injury Report: OUT - D Zarek Valentin - Right calf contusion; D Josh Gardner – Left hamstring tendinitis; F Evan James – Fractured nose; PROBABLE: M Justin Mapp - Left hamstring strain
