In its last game, the Impact came back from a 1-0 deficit, after 45 minutes, to win 2-1 against Miami FC, last Saturday, in Florida. Forwards Roberto Brown and Dwight Barnett scored for the Impact.
“It was important for us to obtain our first win of the season early on and that’s what we did in Miami, said Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “The mentality of the team is very good right now and our level of confidence is high, which is good when you’re playing a stretch on the road. Atlanta will want to win at home so we will have to be more cautious defensively.”
In 2007, the Impact tied the Silverbacks 2-2, April 21, in its first game of the season. Then on September 5, in the last regular season game in club history at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, the Impact shut out Atlanta 1-0.
“Everybody is encouraged by the way we ended the game in Miami and we want to keep that momentum for Friday’s game,” said midfielder Patrick Leduc, who had one goal and one assist in two games against the Silverbacks last year. “We won our individual battles in the midfield, so we have to continue to play the same way by working hard not to give away this aspect of the game to our opponent. On my side, I will visualize before the game what I did well against them last year.”
Last year, Atlanta finished fourth overall in the United Soccer Leagues First Division, seven points behind the Impact. The Silverbacks ended the season with the best offense in the league with a total of 40 goals, 26 at home.
“We’re expecting another tough and tight game on the road,” said defender Nevio Pizzolitto. “They have a tough team because they have big athletic players who like to fight for every ball. We will try not to give anything in the first half and come out with a good result.”
Midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo will play his 50th career game with the Impact. Di Lorenzo started 43 of the 49 games he played, tallying five goals and 11 assists for 21 points.
This is also the third of six straight games on the road, before the Impact’s home opener at Saputo Stadium, Monday, May 19 at 3 pm, against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
OTHER FACTS
• This is the second game of the season for the Silverbacks, which tied 1-1 against the Carolina RailHawks, last Saturday, in their home opener.
• The Impact has a lifetime record of 10-2-1 (21GF-9GA) in 13 games against the Silverbacks, who are playing in the league since 2002.
• Impact midfielder David Testo was named to the USL D1 Team of the Week following a 2-1 win in Florida.
• Impact midfielder Simon Gatti, who missed the last game due to a hip injury, is listed day to day.
• This is the first of three games between both teams. The two teams will face each other again in Montreal, at Saputo Stadium, August 20 and 24.
NEXT GAMES
• 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
