THE GAME AT A GLANCE
• Last Friday, the Impact remained the only USL team undefeated on the road (4-0-3), beating the Carolina RailHawks 1-0 at SAS Soccer Park, thanks to the second goal of the season by midfielder Antonio Ribeiro (84th).
• With 27 points, the Impact is now only one point away from first place in the USL First Division standings, behind the Seattle Sounders. Montreal, however, has one game in hand. Four teams have 27 points: Montreal, Rochester, Vancouver and Portland.
• Impact head coach Nick De Santis will be back on the bench Sunday, after
having served a two-game suspension following his ejection from the game in Quebec City against California, July 1st, for inappropriate language towards the referee.
• Defender Mauricio Vincello will be back in the line-up after having served a two-game suspension, since he was ejected from the game in Quebec City. Vincello was 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 13 games of the season (1170 minutes).
• Goalkeeper Andrew Weber will be in the nets for a second straight game against the Thunder Sunday. Friday against the RailHawks, he registered his second shutout and second win in four starts this season.
• Defender Andres Arango will serve the second of a three-game suspension for an altercation with Anthony Maher, in the game against the RailHawks, July 8.
• This is only the eighth match-up between both teams. The Impact has a 4-1-2 record against the Thunder and outscored the team 16-4.
• On June 5, the Impact and the Thunder played to a 1-1 tie at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. Frederico Moojen had scored the only goal for the Impact in the 41st minute, while Thunder midfielder Jeremiah Bass had scored the tying goal in the 90th minute. Goalkeeper Andrew Weber was in the nets for the Impact.
• The two teams will square off again on Wednesday, July 18, at 8:05 pm (USLlive.com).
THE OPPONENT
• This is the 14th game of the season for the Thunder, which has not played since June 24.
• In its last game, the Thunder shut out the California Victory 1-0, at home.
• The Thunder is 11th in the United Soccer Leagues standings, with only two wins in 13 games so far this season.
• Brian Farber leads the Thunder with seven points (3-1-7).
PRE-GAMES COMMENTS
HEAD COACH NICK DE SANTIS
“We signed a great team win Friday night and I think that the players will benefit from it. This win is very good for the team’s morale. With three points already in the bank, we are in a good position for the rest of the trip. We will decide today if we will make some changes to the line-up for Sunday’s game. It’s something we can do because of the depth we have.”
PATRICK LEDUC
“There is no doubt that Friday’s result gives us confidence. We moved the ball well throughout the game and this is what we have to do in our next two games on the road. I think that luck is finally back on our side. We will have the motivation and energy to get the two wins against the Thunder because this team took points away from us earlier this season, as well as last year.”
PLAYER INJURIES
Player - Position – Injury – Status – Games missed
Matt Jordan Goalkeeper Jaw 6 to 8 weeks 1
Gabriel Gervais Defender Groin Day to day 6
Nevio Pizzolitto Defender Knee Could return August 1st 16
Jason DiTullio Defender Knee Return unknown 16
ELSEWHERE IN THE LEAGUE
• Sunday, July 15 – Charleston @ Puerto Rico – Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium – 6 pm
• Sunday, July 15 – California @ Portland – PGE Park – 9 pm
NEXT GAMES
• 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
