The goal is to climb up in the standings as much as possible as the Eastern Conference championship race tightens up, but also, the points are important as the team is about to kick off a stretch of 10 games in 32 days, starting June 27 in Syracuse.
"We’re entering one of the most crucial parts of the schedule right now," said Pizzolitto, a 27-year-old defender. "We have a lot of depth, but fatigue will become a factor. When you get tired, that’s when you run the risk of making mistakes. That’s why we’ll have to stay really focused."
A win against the Lynx would give an extra edge to the Montreal team, which is already having its best start to the season in club history, thanks to a 8-0-2 record.
After 10 games, head coach Nick DeSantis’ squad has only allowed two goals — one own goal, the other on a penalty kick — an all-time club best at this stage of the season.
"We knew we had a strong defence last year, and we ended up being the best in the league," said Pizzolitto. "Players know each other even better this year, and we’re quicker to react in covering each other. There is more communication and less holes, therefore less mistakes. Plus, there’s Greg Sutton that wins everything in the air around the net, and he’s made key saves when it counted."
The Impact has also scored 19 times so far in 2004, for a goal differential of plus-17. In club history, only the 1997 team has done better, with 22 goals scored and a goal differential of plus-19 after 10 games.
BUDALIC OFF TO NORWAY
In other news, forward Nikola Budalic’s playing rights were transferred to FC Haudesund, a first-division club in Norway, where he will join his former Toronto Lynx teammate Milan Kojic. With the Impact this season, Budalic had picked up one assist in nine games, including four starts, and 304 minutes of play.
Following further exams carried out this week, the Impact learned that defender and midfielder Jason DiTullio, who was hurt in last Sunday’s game in Calgary, has a torn ACL to the right knee.
Captain Mauro Biello’s case (right quadriceps) is doubtful for Sunday’s game, but striker Eduardo Sebrango (hamstring) and midfielder Patrick Leduc (foot) resumed training with the team on Friday, and could be available to face the Lynx.
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SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
