CONTEXT
>The Impact is undefeated in four games this season, with a record of 2-0-2.
>Last weekend in back-to-back games, the Impact earned four points out of a possible six.
>Eduardo Sebrango scored off a header at the 54th minute to lift the Impact to a 1-0 win over the Virginia Beach Mariners last Saturday, redirecting a cross from Patrick Leduc. The next day, the Impact played to a 0-0 draw in Richmond against the Kickers. Goalkeeper Greg Sutton earned his third shutout of the season, and has allowed only one goal in four games.
>The Impact will play its 12th home opener May 29th at 4 pm, against the Rochester Raging Rhinos at the Claude- Robillard Sports Complex.
IMPACT VS LYNX
> Since 1993, the Impact has a lifetime record of 21-12-3 against Toronto.
>In 2004, the Impact collected seven points in three games against the Lynx (2-0-1). On May 28th, the Impact scored a 4-1 victory at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. Montreal clinched another win the following night, at Centennial Stadium in Toronto, beating the Lynx 2-0. On June 20th, in Montreal, both teams played to a 1-1 draw.
>Many of the players and coaches involved in Sunday’s match-up are familiar with each other. Defender Mauricio Vincello was a member of the Lynx from 2000-2003. Last year, he scored two goals against his former club. Impact assistant coach Peter Pinizzotto was head coach of the Toronto Lynx and Lloyd Barker played in Toronto in 1999 and 2000.
>Former members of the Impact playing in Toronto include Andres Arango, who was traded for Vincello, veteran defender Carl Fletcher as well as Quebec native Ali Ngon-Gerba and Josue Mayard. The Lynx head coach Hubert “Junior” Busby had a brief stint as a player with the Impact in 1996.
>Lynx striker Winston Griffiths is suspended and will not dress for the game after receiving an unsportsmanlike misconduct against the Atlanta Silverbacks on May 7th. Griffiths and Impact newcomer Kevin Wilson were team mates with the Jamaican club Arnett Gardens FC during the winter season.
PLAYER NOTES
>The Impact roster increased to 24 with the signing of third goalkeeper Gerry Argento on Tuesday.
>Goalkeeper Greg Sutton continues where he left off last season and already has three shutouts in four games, tying him with the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Michael Franks for tops in the league.
COMMENTS
>Head coach Nick DeSantis: “It won’t be an easy game because the Lynx are always motivated to play against us, especially since it will be their home opener. Also, their field is small, and that will complicate things for us. Even though they haven’t had a good start to the season, we need to do everything right to earn the three points. Despite their record, they are a dangerous team because of their speed. We’ve had a good week of rest since our last game in Richmond, and are ready for this match.”
>Defender Mauricio Vincello (played three seasons with the Lynx): “I am going to look at this game as any other, but it is always special to play against your former team. My main role is to help the team defensively. It’s a bonus if I could help the team by scoring a few goals during the season. If we want to win, we’ll have to show the same intensity we have since the beginning of the season.”
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Source: Patrick Vallée
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
