THE GAME AT A GLANCE
• Last Sunday, in Sherbrooke, the Impact came back from a two-goal deficit to tie the RailHawks 2-2 at the Sherbrooke University stadium. Forward Charles Gbeke scored two goals in less than two minutes in the second half (63rd and 65th minute).
• The Impact is still the only team in the league undefeated on the road this season (3-0-3).
• Impact head coach Nick De Santis will not be on the bench for a second straight game. De Santis is serving a two-game suspension following his ejection from the game in Quebec City against California, for inappropriate language towards the referee.
• Impact assistant coach Peter Pinizzotto will be at the helm of the team Friday. Pinizzotto (0-2-2) is still looking for his first win as Impact head coach, after having stepped on the bench for De Santis in similar situations, last July 8 against Carolina (tie 2-2), 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).
• Team captain Mauro Biello’s next game will be his 300th career-game with the Impact. He will be the first Impact player to reach that milestone as well as the first player in league history to play 300 games with the same team. Mauro Biello will have played 83% of all regular season Impact games (300 on 361 games).
• The Impact is only three points away from first place in the USL First Division standings, behind Vancouver and Rochester.
• This is the first of a three-game road stretch. The Impact will then face the Thunder in a double header in Minnesota, July 15 and 18.
• It is the second of four match-ups between both teams this season. The two teams will meet again on August 1, in Montreal, and August 26, in Carolina.
THE OPPONENT
• This is also the 16th game of the season for the RailHawks.
• RailHawks midfielder Joey Worthen scored both Carolina goals in the first half (17th and 30th minute).
• Midfielder Kupono Low leads the RailHawks with four goals (nine points).
• Forward Anthony Maher and defender Caleb Norkus will miss the game, following a suspension.
PRE-GAMES COMMENTS
TEAM CAPTAIN MAURO BIELLO
"We are expecting another physical game in Carolina. It's their style of play and we have to be prepared for it. We ended the last game on a positive note so it will be important to start the game the same way but we know that it will not be easy. And it's good for the league because there is already a rivalry between the two teams. Former Rochester Rhinos Scott Schweitzer (head coach) and Chris Economides (general manager) bring energy and intensity to their players on the field. On our side, we have to be alert and play well. On a personal note, I think that 300 games is a great accomplishment but for me, it’s simply another game that we have to win."
FORWARD CHARLES GBEKE
“We have to expect another physical game there but we have to show more discipline. Even if I scored two goals, I don’t think I will be marked more closely because that was already the case last game. The players in the league know our style and my way to play the game so I have to fight to beat the defenders. We are aiming to obtain nine points during this trip. We play well on the road so it’s an advantage for us. We will build on that to get the three wins.”
GOALKEEPER ANDREW WEBER
“It’s good to have played a couple of games already. It’s unfortunate what happened to Matt (Jordan) but I’m excited about this opportunity. Just as last year, I’m getting my chance in less than ideal conditions, but it’s my job to help the team out. I hope to do better than last year. I know there will be ups and downs, but right now, it’s my job to make sure the team stays focused and we keep our mind on the objective to win more games.”
OTHER FACTS
• Goalkeeper Matt Jordan underwent surgery, Monday, for a broken jaw suffered during the game against the RailHawks, after a collision with defender Simon Gatti. He will be out of the line-up from six to eight weeks. To compensate for the absence of Matt Jordan, the Impact has called up goalkeeper Gerry Argento from their reserve team in Trois-Rivières. He will be Andrew Weber’s back-up.
• Defender Mauricio Vincello will serve his second of a two-game suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards (5). Andres Arango will serve a three-game suspension for an altercation with Anthony Maher, in the last game against the RailHawks.
• Goalkeeper Matt Jordan, defenders Nevio Pizzolitto, Andres Arango and Jason DiTullio, as well as forward Fabian Dawkins did not travel with the team.
• For the first time in his Impact career, forward Charles Gbeke scored two goals in a regular season game, last Sunday, against the RailHawks. He became the 45th player in Impact history to do achieve this. He had also scored two goals against the Sounders in Seattle, in 2005, but during the playoffs.
PLAYER INJURIES
Player - Position – Injury – Status – Games missed
Matt Jordan Goalkeeper Jaw 6 to 8 weeks 0
Patrick Leduc Midfielder Back Should be back Friday 1
Gabriel Gervais Defender Groin Day to day 5
Nevio Pizzolitto Defender Knee Could return August 1st 15
Jason DiTullio Defender Knee Return unknown 15
ELSEWHERE IN THE LEAGUE
• Friday, July 13 – Charleston @ Puerto Rico – Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium – 8 pm
• Friday, July 13 – California @ Portland – PGE Park – 11 pm
NEXT GAMES
• 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
