While the Impact will be looking to extend its undefeated streak (7-0-1), the Rhinos absolutely need to win the game, their last of the regular season, to ensure a post-season berth.
A loss would mean the Rhinos could find themselves out of the playoffs for the first time in club history if the Atlanta Silverbacks were to pick up a win or a tie at home against the Toronto Lynx, Saturday night.
In other words, the Montreal-Rochester rivalry promises to pick up where it left off.
"We know they’ll be ready to attack, so we’ll have to be on our guard," said DeSantis. "We’ll have to be patient and take advantage of the counter-attack. The longer the game goes on (without a goal), the better it will be for us.
"We’re probably not going to get many scoring chances, so we’ll need to capitalize on the ones we do get."
DeSantis’ men, who will finish off the regular season Sunday afternoon at Claude Robillard Sports Complex against the Richmond Kickers (4:00 pm, live on RDS, CJAD, CKAC), are also looking to finish first in overall A-League standings. They presently have a three-point lead over the Portland Timbers, the Western Conference leaders, who will host the Minnesota Thunder, Friday, and the Milwaukee Wave United, Sunday.
"We want to win every game we play, regardless of what’s at stake," said DeSantis.
For now, Impact players know they will be playing their home game in the first playoff round on Sunday, September 5 at 7:00 pm, but they still do not know where the first leg of the conference semifinals — a two-game, aggregate-score series — will take place.
For the time being, only the Impact and the Richmond Kickers are sure of their ranking — first and second in the East, respectively. The Atlanta Silverbacks, the Rochester Rhinos and the Syracuse Salty Dogs are all potential opponents for Montreal in the opening playoff round.
The post-season picture should clear up following Saturday’s match-ups. In addition to Atlanta playing Toronto, the Salty Dogs will be facing the Mariners in Virginia Beach, Saturday evening.
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SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
