SUMMARY
Midfielder Patrick Leduc opened the score at the 24th minute of play, on a free kick, just outside the 18-yard box. Leduc accepted a short pass from Masahiro Fukasawa to beat the Citadins goalkeeper on his right.
In the last seconds of the game, Citadins defender Emmanuel Macagno (90th) scored against his team, by deflecting a centering pass from Adam Braz coming from the right side.
Impact goalkeeper Greg Sutton played the entire game.
Leduc was the Impact’s top scorer during training camp with four goals, followed by newcomer Masahiro Fukasawa, who scored three goals.
COMMENTS
Impact head-coach Nick De Santis, on the game: “ After a good first half, we sat on our 1-0 lead. We didn’t play poorly but we weren’t creative enough to score more goals.”
Impact head-coach Nick De Santis, on the beginning of the season: “It wont be easy against Puerto Rico. They have one year under their belt in the league, they know us well and they are a better team than last year with new additions during the off-season. We are leaving few days earlier to adjust to the climate and the field, but also for team chemistry.”
IMPACT LINEUP
Greg Sutton, Mauricio Vincello, Gabriel Gervais, Adam Braz, Adrian Cann (Nicolas Lesage 45), Lars Lyssand (Nevio Pizzolitto 66e), Masahiro Fukasawa (Sita-Taty Matondo 57), Antonio Ribeiro (Mesut Mert 45), Patrick Leduc, Darko Kolic (Rachid Madkour 57), Mauro Biello.
NOTES
>The Impact has 23 players under contract on its roster, on a possibility of 26 players.
>Forward Eduardo Sebrango, who sprained his ankle during the pre-season match against the Concordia Stingers Wednesday is recovering well and will make the trip to San Juan. He should be available for the opening game against Puerto Rico.
>Forwards Nicolas Lesage and Kevin Wilson will also make the trip. Lesage will leave tomorrow with his teammates while Wilson will join the team early this week.
>The Impact intends to get midfielder Zé Roberto back from the Philadelphia Kixx (MISL) for May 1st so he could be part of the trip to Virginia Beach on May 7.
>Forward Joel Bailey, who is currently in negotiation with the Impact, is with the Baltimore Blast. Goalkeeper Gerry Argento is also in negotiation with the club.
>Defenders Jason Di Tullio and David Fronimadis are the only two players on the injury list.
NEXT GAME
The Impact will kick off its 2005 season and defend its First Division United Soccer Leagues championship title with a double-header in Puerto Rico, against the Islanders, April 29 and May 1.
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Source: Patrick Vallée
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
