The Impact starts a stretch of six consecutive games on the road, before its home opener Monday, May 19, at 3 pm, against the Whitecaps.
Since the Impact’s debut in 1993, the team has a lifetime record of six wins, five losses and three ties in season openers (18GF – 14GA).
“Everybody knows the importance of this first game and we are looking forward to it,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis, who will coach his fifth season with the Impact. The team’s confidence is excellent right now. But I’m expecting a tough game because we will face a good team that will play its first game of the season at home.”
The Impact ended its training camp with a record of four wins, two losses and two ties. In eight pre-season games, the Impact scored 14 goals and allowed six. Midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo was the top scorer during training camp with three goals.
“All the efforts made by the club to prepare us is a move in the right direction for a good season,” said team captain Mauro Biello, who will play his 15th season with the Impact. “We did well during the training camp and I see a team playing with confidence because we beat high-level clubs. If we continue to play the same way, we will have success this season.”
Forward Joey Gjertsen and midfielder David Testo will face their former teammates, after having been traded for midfielder Zé Roberto and forward Alen Marcia, before the July 30 roster freeze.
“It’s nice to go back to Vancouver for the season opener,” said Gjertsen, who played three seasons with the Whitecaps. “They had a lot of changes during the off-season but you can expect a solid team because it’s a good organization.”
“As always, we have high expectations for the season, but it’s a marathon, not a sprint,” said goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who should start his second game-season opener with the Impact. “Our main focus is Saturday and we want to do our best each game. Both teams will be highly motivated so it’s going to be a very challenging game. We have to play our style and possess the ball because that’s when we are at our best.”
The Impact will start the 30-game season with seven newcomers: Adam Braz (Toronto FC, MLS), Stefano Pesoli (FC Rieti, Italy C2) and Cédric Joqueviel (Trois-Rivières Attak, CSL), midfielders Cristian Nuñez (Toronto FC, MLS) and Pato Aguilera (no club), as well as forwards Severino Jefferson (Ayia Napa, Cyprus) and Dwight Barnett (Cape Cod Crusaders, PDL).
OTHER FACTS
• Head coach Nick De Santis’ record in season-opening games: 1-0-3.
• This is also the first game of the season for the Whitecaps.
• The Whitecaps discharged Bob Lilley in the off-season and hired Teitur Thodarson as their new head coach. The Caps have 10 new players on their roster.
• Since 1993, the year Vancouver joined the league (the 86ers became the Whitecaps), the Impact has a regular season lifetime record of 20-7-4 against its Canadian rivals.
• Last year, the Impact tied 0-0, June 1, in Montreal, and won 2-0, August 18, in Vancouver.
• Defender Gabriel Gervais is only one start away from the 150 starts mark in the USL D1.
• Midfielder Antonio Ribeiro is one game away from the 100 games played mark.
• Forward Charles Gbeke is seven shots away from the 100 shots mark with the Impact.
• Defenders Cédric Joqueviel and Luis Aguilar did not travel with the team to Vancouver.
NEXT GAMES
• Saturday, April 19 – IMPACT @ Miami FC – Tropical Park Stadium – 7:30 pm (USLlive.com)
• Friday, April 25 – IMPACT @ Atlanta - RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium – 8 pm (FSW, USLlive.com)
• Friday, May 2 – IMPACT @ Puerto Rico – Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium – 8 pm (USLlive.com)
• Saturday, May 10 – IMPACT @ Minnesota – James Griffin Stadium– 8:05 pm (USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, May 14 – IMPACT @ Charleston – Blackbaud Stadium– 7:30 pm (USLlive.com)
• Monday, May 19 – Vancouver @ IMPACT – SAPUTO STADIUM – 3 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
