In its last two games, the Impact was shut out by a 1-0 score, July 6, against the Puerto Rico Islanders, and July 13, against the Seattle Sounders.
“There were a lot of ups and downs since the beginning of the season. Lately, the team had five straight games without a loss and now we have not won in our last two games, so things have been a little inconsistent,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis, who will serve a one-game suspension following an altercation with the referees after Sunday’s game against Seattle. “With 15 games to play, there is a possibility of 45 points ahead of us, which is plenty to go up in the standings. We have a lot of room to make a huge improvement.”
The Impact has a lifetime record of 3-0-4 (4GF-1GA) against the Miami FC, which is playing its third season in the league. The last game between both clubs ended in a 0-0 tie, June 4, at Saputo Stadium. On April 19, the Impact registered a 2-1 win against Miami, in Florida.
“We have to get points at home,” said assistant coach Andrea Di Pietrantonio, who will be at the helm of the team due to the absence of Limniatis. “With a record of 4-8-3 after 15 games, we have to overturn the situation in the second half of the campaign. Friday, we have to take control of the game against Miami. We need a good result, especially against the teams that are fighting at the bottom of the standings. We are expecting them to be patient and to wait for our mistakes, like they did in the last game, but we will have to dictate the rhythm of the match.”
“Now that we are in the second phase of the season, every game becomes even more important,” explained team captain Mauro Biello. “We need to get our confidence back around the net, which will allow us to bring the team back in the right direction for the remainder of the season.”
The Miami FC has not lost in its last nine games (3-0-6). During that sequence, Miami allowed only one goal and five games ended in a 0-0 score.
The Impact will play its next game against the Toronto FC, Tuesday at BMO Field (7 pm, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, cbc.ca) in the decisive game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. The Impact now has to beat or tie the Toronto FC to win the tournament. The tournament winner will then face in a home-and-away series the Nicaraguan champion team. The team who finishes first will also be awarded the Voyageurs Cup trophy.
OTHER FACTS
• The name of midfielder Antonio Ribeiro has been officially taken off from the injured list. Ribeiro missed 10 games due to an ankle injury.
• Team captain Mauro Biello will go under surgery for his wrist, on July 25. The duration of his absence is yet to be determined.
• Miami forward Alex Afonso is currently the league leader in goals and points with eight goals and 18 points. Afonso missed his team’s last game in Rochester, due to a knee injury. His status remains uncertain for Friday.
• The Impact has an average of 12,967 tickets sold after seven regular season games at Saputo Stadium, a league high. The Impact will reach the 100,000 tickets sold mark Friday.
NEXT GAMES
• Tuesday, July 22 – IMPACT @ Toronto – BMO Field – 7:00 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, cbc.ca)
• Friday, July 25 – IMPACT @ Rochester – PAETEC Park – 8:00 pm (FSW)
• Sunday, July 27 – Rochester @ IMPACT – 3:30 pm (CKAC Sports – THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
Nutrilite Canadian Championship
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
