THE GAME AT A GLANCE
• Last weekend, the Impact shut out the Puerto Rico Islanders 1-0, Friday, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, and was then blanked 2-0 by the California Victory, Sunday, at Laval University PEPS Stadium, in Quebec City.
• The Impact is only four points away from first place in the USL First Division standings, behind the Vancouver Whitecaps.
• Impact head coach Nick De Santis will not be on the bench for the next two games. De Santis is serving a two-game suspension following his ejection from the last game in Quebec City against California, for inappropriate language towards the referee. De Santis was expelled from the match in the 71st minute after the referee disallowed a goal due to an offside. It’s the second time this season that he is suspended. He served a one-game suspension for an exchange he had with the referees, after the game against the Portland Timbers, June 8.
• Impact assistant coach Peter Pinizzotto will be at the helm of the team for the next two games. Pinizzotto had stepped on the bench for De Santis in similar situations, last June 15 against Charleston (1-0 loss), August 6, 2006, in Virginia Beach (1-1 tie) and during the playoffs, September 25, 2005, against Seattle (2-1 loss).
• Defender Mauricio Vincello is serving a two-game suspension, since he was ejected from the game in Quebec City. Vincello will be suspended one game for the red card he received and another game for an accumulation of yellow cards (5). Vincello was the only player who had played all 90 minutes of the first 14 games of the season (1170 minutes).
• Midfielder Antonio Ribeiro is only 89 minutes away from the 5,000 minutes played mark with the Impact. He will become the 24th player in club history to reach that mark.
• The Impact has played three games in Sherbrooke. Last year, on August 27, the Impact defeated the Virginia Beach Mariners 2-0 in front of 6,532 spectators, under pouring rain, at Sherbrooke University Stadium. In previous match-ups, on August 28, 2005, the Impact had blanked the Rochester Raging Rhinos 2-0, in front of 9,519 spectators. On August 22, 2004, 9,128 fans saw the Impact beat the Atlanta Silverbacks 1-0.
• The Impact has lost only once in 11 home games played away from Montreal (9-1-1).
• It is the first game ever between the two teams. The Impact will face the RailHawks in Carolina, July 13th, and again on August 26, in Montreal.
THE OPPONENT
• This is also the 15th game of the season for the RailHawks.
• Friday, in Rochester the RailHawks have lost 2-1 against the Raging Rhinos.
• Midfielder Kupono Low leads the RailHawks with four goals (nine points).
• Railhawks goalkeeper Chris McClellan leads the league in shutouts (7). He has played all games this season.
PRE-GAMES COMMENTS
TEAM CAPTAIN MAURO BIELLO
“Yes, we’re going through a bit of a difficult stretch right now but we are still in a good position in the standings. Now, we’ll see this team’s character. We have to bring the intensity that we show during training sessions to our games and it will make a difference. Carolina is a team with a lot of experience. They have many players in their line-up who have played in the league before. Their head coach Scott Schweitzer established a good defense so we expect a very tough game. For us, it’s a matter of getting back on track. Hopefully we will change things and we will get back to the way we were playing in the beginning of the season.”
ASSISTANT COACH PETER PINIZZOTTO
“To have success in Sherbrooke, we have to score on our opportunities. Second of all, we have to be more patient with the ball. When things aren’t going well, players try individual things instead of playing as a team. Above all, we have to be more consistent. With so many player changes, it takes a little bit more time than if you had your regular line-up.”
MIDFIELDER ANTONIO RIBEIRO
“We have to stay positive, work hard and not give up. We have to be smart on the field by avoiding cautions, especially when an important element like Vincello is missing because of a suspension. As usual, we will have to play a good game by working on our scoring chances and believing in ourselves throughout the game.”
PLAYER INJURIES
Player - Position – Injury – Status – Games missed
Gabriel Gervais Defender Groin Day to day 5
Nevio Pizzolitto Defender Knee Could return August 1st 14
Jason DiTullio Defender Knee Return unknown 14
NEXT GAMES
• Friday, July 13 – Impact @ Carolina – Stadium SAS – 7:30 pm (USLlive.com)
• Sunday, July 15 – Impact @ Minnesota – James Griffin Stadium – 6:05 pm (USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, July 18 – Impact @ Minnesota – James Griffin Stadium – 8:05 pm (USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, August 1 – Carolina @ Impact – Claude-Robillard Sports Complex – 7 pm (CJAD 800, USLlive.com)
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
