"We have to go into the first game and get a result, and not even think about the second game," said DeSantis before the team’s departure. "How we do in Virginia Beach will then dictate how we’ll approach the game in Richmond."
The Impact has a lifetime record of 15-14-4 in games played over consecutive days. The Montreal team picked up a win and a tie during last year’s trip to Virginia. Earlier this year, DeSantis’ players collected two shutout wins in Charleston and Atlanta, April 30 and May 1st.
Circumstances will be somewhat different this time around. The Impact, which was able to count on substantial depth in its line-up which led to its best start to the season ever, has recently been plagued with a long list of injuries. Defenders Jason DiTullio, David Fronimadis and Abraham François have all suffered torn ACLs.
"That’s probably the only negative thing on the team right now," said veteran defender Lloyd Barker. "We’re still hit with the injury bug and it’s certainly more difficult now, especially with the amount of games we’ll have to play in a short period of time."
The Impact, which is slated to play nine games in 27 days in July, will nonetheless be able to count on the return of some of its players. Striker Eduardo Sebrango, who missed last Sunday’s game in Syracuse due to a hamstring injury, will travel with the team to Virginia, as will midfielder Zé Roberto, back from a one-game suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Attacking midfielder Mauro Biello (quadriceps), who played 44 minutes in Syracuse after missing the previous four games, and defender Adam Back (elbow), who did not play against the Salty Dogs but was available after missing six weeks of play, have made the trip to Virginia.
This weekend against the Mariners (4-7-3) and the Kickers (7-4-3), the Impact will try to extend its undefeated streak, but also to return to victory, after settling for ties in each of its last three meetings.
"When we look at our record (8-0-4), I think we’ve played well enough to win every game," said Barker. "Ironically, the three games we’ve tied lately are the ones where we created the most scoring opportunities, except maybe against Syracuse. And even then, we certainly had enough chances early in that game to put it away. We’re working just as hard, doing everything we want to do but we’re just unlucky: either the goalkeeper is making the save or we’re hitting the post."
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SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
