After three regular season games played at home, the Impact is back on the road where it registered a record of 2-4-0 in six games.
In its last game, Wednesday, the Impact and the Miami FC tied 0-0, at Saputo Stadium. The Impact once again dominated in shots 15-7. The Impact has not scored in its last six games (547 minutes), including the game against Toronto FC, May 27.
“We have to build from the last game, going down a man, and defending very well with a strong effort, said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “We have to go to there and play the same way. Charleston is going through a good time right now and is battling for first place and on our side, we still have a few players injured but we have to go there with the right mindset.”
On May 14, the Impact was shut out 1-0 in Charleston. Forward Randi Patterson scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute. Last season, the Impact signed a 3-2 win, April 28, in Charleston.
“It’s a big game for us because it’s important to get points in Charleston,” said midfielder Patrick Leduc, who has played 808 minutes so far this season. “If there is a lesson that we have to take from our last game there is that we commit an error that led to a goal, after having played a great game. We will try to play the same kind of game without making defensive error. Also, I’m also a bit sad to quit Saputo Stadium because the conditions are very good and the atmosphere with the fans is excellent. I’m already looking forward to the next game at home.”
“I think that it can be a new departure for us so we have to keep believing,” noted forward Charles Gbeke. “We still remember that last year we did great against them by scoring three goals and in the first game there this season, we played well. We did good in the past games in Montreal so we have to continue working and things will get into the right place.”
The Impact called back another player from its reserve team, the Trois-Rivières Attak: forward Massimo Di Ioia. Him and defender Davy Uwimana have made the trip to Charleston. Forward Nicolas Lesage and midfielder Hector « Nacho » Contreras are back with the Attak.
Defender Stefano Pesoli, who is serving an automatic one-game suspension due to his ejection from last game against Miami, as well as five injured players: defender Gabriel Gervais (thigh), midfielders Leonardo Di Lorenzo (thigh), Antonio Ribeiro (ankle) and David Testo (hip), as well as forward Roberto Brown (thigh), did not make the trip to Charleston.
OTHER FACTS
• The Impact is playing under the .500 mark in 15 games against Charleston (7-8-0, 16 GF – 15GA).
• The Battery is also playing its 10th game of the season. The team did not play since May 28 (10 days).
• Charleston is currently fighting for first place in the standings. The Battery (17 points) is only two points behind the Vancouver Whitecaps (19 points).
• Forward Randi Patterson leads the Battery in goals and points with six goals and 12 points in nine games.
• The shutout registered by goalkeeper Matt Jordan in the last game against Miami was his 14th career shutout with the Impact. He is now third among Impact goalkeepers behind Greg Sutton (67) and Paolo Ceccarelli (33).
NEXT GAMES
• Friday, June 13 – Charleston @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Tuesday, June 17 – Vancouver @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm
• Sunday, June 22 – Carolina @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, June 25 – IMPACT @ Vancouver – Swangard Stadium – 10 pm
*Nutrilite Canadian Championship
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
