Head coach Nick DeSantis and defender Gabriel Gervais expect the Rhinos to have a different approach on their own field, however. They have a 6-1-0 record at Frontier Field this season, and have a 9-4-1 lifetime regular-season record against the Impact in Rochester.
"In Montreal, they felt us out at first, but this time I expect them to come at us right from the start," said DeSantis. "They’re going to put pressure on us, and we’ll have to be ready."
"We expect an even tougher game," said Gervais. "Their field is smaller and it’s always a hostile atmosphere in Rochester. They’ll be playing in front of their fans and the game will be televised, so they’ll have no choice but to open up.
"A lot of times, teams come into Rochester and play defensively. But’s that a mistake. We’re not going to change our style. Of course, we’ll have to stay organized on defence, but we’ll also be looking to move the ball around, and we’ll be pushing forward on the wings, like we usually do."
With another win against the Rhinos, the Montreal team would find itself alone on top of Eastern Conference standings, three points ahead of Rochester and the Atlanta Silverbacks.
"The pressure will be on them because we have a chance to move up alone in first place," said Gervais. "But we also need to get a result, because if we don’t, (Wednesday’s) win will have meant nothing."
Impact defender Adam Braz will not be facing the Rhinos. He has been suspended for criticizing the official after Montreal’s 2-1 overtime loss at Virginia Beach against the Mariners, July 2.
The Rhinos will have to do without their leading scorer Chris Carrieri, who will serve an automatic one-game suspension after receiving a red card in Wednesday’s game in Montreal. He was ejected for his behaviour while on his team’s bench. Carrieri has five goals and seven assists this season.
FOUR PLAYERS JOIN NATIONAL TEAM
Defenders Gabriel Gervais and Nevio Pizzolitto, offensive midfielder Mauro Biello and goalkeeper Greg Sutton will join the Canadian national team, Saturday, in time for international matches to be played in Vancouver, Monday and Wednesday. The national squad will face Scottish team Hearts and English club Millwall.
Gervais and Sutton will be back with the Impact on Tuesday, in time for Wednesday’s home game against the Syracuse Salty Dogs. Pizzolitto and Biello will rejoin their teammates on Thursday, in time for next Friday’s match-up against the Salty Dogs, in Syracuse.
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SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
