The Impact (14-4-4) leads the Eastern Conference standings, a few points ahead of the Richmond Kickers, Rochester Rhinos and Atlanta Silverbacks, while the Whitecaps (12-5-3) are in a battle with the Portland Timbers for first place in the West.
"It goes to show you the competitiveness we have in this league," pointed out Impact head coach Nick DeSantis. "Everyone is still fighting for a playoff spot or even first place, and it’s going to be a big fight until the end."
The rivalry between two Canadian teams will therefore be only one of many points of interest in this match-up between two squads who are presently riding undefeated streaks — the Impact has won its last four, while the Whitecaps are unbeaten in six (4-0-2) — who have both shut out the opponent for over 500 straight minutes earlier this season and who both have several offensive threats.
Aside from Davide Xausa, who has six goals and one assist, the Whitecaps have four other players with at least three goals, including Oliver Heald and Jason Jordan, who both have four goals and two assists. Martin Nash, who played for the Impact last year, will be playing his first game in Montreal since joining the team from his native province.
"I expect another good game," said DeSantis, whose team beat the Whitecaps in Vancouver last June 11. "They like to keep possession of the ball, they have a lot of experience and we both know this is a big rivalry. We beat them the first time out over there, so they’ll be wanting to return the favour."
On the Impact side, goals can come from Fred Commodore (who has eight with one assist), Eduardo Sebrango (six goals and two assists), as well as from Mauro Biello and Antonio Ribeiro, who were among the most dangerous players around the Puerto Rico Islanders’ net in Wednesday’s 1-0 win.
Both teams also have quality goalkeepers. Montreal’s Greg Sutton is the A-League leader with 14 shutouts in 21 starts, while Vancouver’s Alexander Marques-Delgado is third with eight in 14 games.
The Impact and the Whitecaps have split the last three games played at Claude Robillard Sports Complex (1-1-1).
"The most important thing for us will be to keep our defensive shape and once again, because this will be a home game, we’ll be looking to dictate the pace of the game," said DeSantis.
Sandro Grande’s case, who has four goals this season and is suffering from a inflammation of the pelvis, will be evaluated before the game. Another midfielder, Zé Roberto, will be serving the last match-up of a two-game suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
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SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
