The Impact has lost only once in its last seven regular season games (5-1-1; 13GF – 5GA).
In its last game Friday, the Impact tied the Minnesota Thunder 1-1 at Saputo Stadium. Midfielder Sandro Grande scored for the Impact on a penalty kick at the 45th minute. Assistant coach Andrea Di Pietrantonio was replacing head coach John Limniatis, who was purging a one-game suspension.
“We have the luxury to have a 26-player roster but we have to get good results until the end of the season,” said Di Pietrantonio. “With a good result, we could secure our place in the playoffs. The objective is to finish third or fourth in the standings in order to control our destiny during the series by having the field advantage.”
This is the 10th game between both clubs. The Impact has a 2-5-2 (4GF – 9GA) record against its American rivals. The Impact lost its first two games this season against the Timbers: 1-0 on May 30 at Saputo Stadium and 2-1 on August 16 in Portland. Forward Chris Brown scored two of the three Timbers goals.
“Strangely, Portland is a tough team to play against because we rarely get worried about them but we have lost two of our games,” noted defender Cédric Joqueviel. “We dominate but they have the last word. We will have to remember the mistakes we made on the goals we allowed and be a little bit more concentrated. It’s a team that we have to take seriously.”
Note that forward Roberto Brown has a knee injury and the duration of his absence is yet to be determined. Forward Severino Jefferson could also miss Monday’s game due to a light knee injury.
The Impact could play 15 games in the next 51 days: five regular season games, six games in the Champions League group stage and four playoff games if the club qualifies for the two rounds.
« It’s something that I’ve never seen in my entire career with the Impact,” said 15-season veteran Nevio Pizzolitto. “It happened once in a while to play two games in three days, but not for two months straight. Luckily, we have a 26-player roster so the coaching staff will be able to juggle with the starting lineups. The depth that we have will show and will help us, but it will be tough to play at our top level. We will have to stick together because it will be a battle until the end.”
OTHER FACTS
• Defender Nevio Pizzolitto will serve the second game of a three-game suspension for elbowing RailHawks forward Ronal Cerritos.
• The Impact is first in the USL D1 standings in goals conceded at home (9) and in goal-average allowed at Saputo Stadium (0.69).
• The Timbers were shut out 2-0 Saturday in Rochester
• Forward Chris Brown leads the Timbers with eight goals and 18 points.
NEXT GAMES
• Wednesday, September 10 – IMPACT @ Seattle – 10 pm (USLlive.com)
• Saturday, September 13 – IMPACT @ Vancouver – 10 pm (USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, September 17 – Joe Public FC @ IMPACT – 8 pm (to be determined
• Saturday, September 20 – IMPACT @ Minnesota – 10 pm (USLlive.com)
• Sunday, September 21 – Puerto Rico @ IMPACT – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
-End of the regular season-
CONCACAF Champions League
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
