CONTEXT
> It will be the second game of a nine-game stretch in 25 days, eight of which will be played at home.
> The Impact remains undefeated at home in seven games this season (5-0-2).
> The Impact is the best defensive team in the league, having allowed only nine goals in 18 games.
> The Impact is alone in first place with 41 points, four points ahead of the Rochester Raging Rhinos. Montreal has three games in hand.
> In its last game, a goal and an assist by newcomer Charles Gbeke allowed the Impact to beat the Atlanta Silverbacks 2-0, at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, in front of 11,272 spectators. Captain Mauro Biello also scored in the win. It was Sutton’s 9th win of the season. It was also his 10th shutout of the season.
IMPACT VS PORTLAND
> This will be the third meeting ever between the two teams.
> On June 30, The Impact beat the Timbers 1-0 at PGE Stadium. Midfielder Sandro Grande scored the lone goal with a free-kick from midfield.
> In 2002, The Impact lost to Portland 3-0 in front of 9,141 fans. Forward Fadi Afash scored two goals in that match.
> The Timbers hold down 8th spot in the First Division of the United Soccer Leagues with 24 points, tied with the Atlanta Silverbacks. They are one point behind the Charleston Battery and the Puerto Rico Islanders, who are both in 6th place, the last spot good for a playoff berth.
> The Timbers have not lost in their last three games (1-0-2), all played at home.
> They have, however, failed to win in their last four road games (0-4-0).
NOTES
> Impact goalkeeper Greg Sutton could surpass a Paolo Ceccarelli's record. The win against Atlanta was the 60th of Sutton’s career in an Impact uniform. He therefore tied the team record of 60 wins, first set by Ceccarelli.
> Captain Mauro Biello is the Impact’s leading scorer (6-3-15). He sits in ninth place in league scoring. Biello has scored six goals in the Impact’s last seven games.
> Defender Nevio Pizzolitto will return to the line-up after missing the last game due to a one-game suspension to be served following an accumulation of yellow cards.
> Midfielder Zé Roberto’s will not be available for Wednesday’s game. He suffered an injury to the knee during Montreal’s last game against the Atlanta Silverbacks.
> Forward Eduardo Sebrango has missed the Impact’s last eight games with a fractured bone in his right foot. He suffered the injury on June 30, in a 1-0 victory over the Timbers in Portland. He is expected to return mid-August.
COMMENTS
Impact head coach Nick De Santis: “It is a very important match for us at home because we will have to win to stay in first place. At this point in the season, every single point earned is precious. We have yet to be defeated at home, and we hope to continue that streak. There is a nice battle for the top two spots that allow a bye over the first round of the playoffs. The Timbers, on the other hand, are fighting for a playoff spot. This is a team that has had some highs and lows this season, but they are coming off an important victory over Seattle.”
Patrick Leduc: "We have to continue to play well, and for the entire 90 minutes. Recently, we have done some good things offensively, but we must continue to work hard to keep up the pace. It's nice to score some goals, but we need to remain focused defensively, like we've done for most of the season. It'll be great to play another game in front of our fans, who give us a lot of energy. It's incredible to play on our home field."
UPCOMING GAMES
> The Impact plays its annual game in Quebec City on Sunday, at the PEPS of the University of Laval, against the Puerto Rico Islanders (1:30 pm, CJAD, CKAC). The team will be back at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex on Wednesday, August 17, again against the Islanders (7:30 pm, CKAC).
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
