In group C, the Impact joined the two seeded teams Atlante FC (Mexico) and CD Olimpia (Honduras), as well as Joe Public FC (Trinidad & Tobago), which also won the preliminary round.
“I think that we are able to get to the next round,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “In theory, if Atlante FC is considered the best team, we will fight with the two other teams for the second place. It will be tough because we will face very good teams but if we play well, we have the possibility of winning a few games. If you want to improve your chances to advance, you need good results at home. First we need energy and intensity, which will then help us technically and tactically.”
“We are initiating Wednesday the most important series of games in club history,” said midfielder Mauro Biello. “I’m very happy for everybody in the club to see where we are now. I hope that we will play six good games to reach the next round. This will open the eyes of a lot of people in North America and elsewhere in the world that the Impact is a serious club with quality players. It’s not only fantastic for the city of Montreal, but also for Quebec and Canada.”
In the home-and-away series on aggregate goals giving access to group C, the Impact shut out the Nicaraguan champion team, Real Estelí FC, 1-0 on aggregates. On August 27, a goal from Joey Gjertsen led the Impact to a 1-0 win, and then on September 2, the two teams tied 0-0, in Comayagua, Honduras.
“Every time this year we came to an important game, we showed a lot of character and intensity,” said defender Adam Braz. “Now in the group stage, it’s vital to get a good start especially at home because it will be tough playing away in venues where the environment is going to be hostile. Tomorrow, we will have to be smart and try to limit the space in the back to counter their speed. We will also try to match their physical presence with our own physical game, keep the ball and limit their counterattacks.”
In the home-and-away series giving access to the group phase, Joe Public FC beat the New England Revolution 6-1 on aggregate goals. After a 2-1 win in Macoya, Trinidad & Tobago, August 26, Joe Public shut out the Revolution 4-0, in Foxboro, Massachusetts, on September 2. Forward Gregory Richardson scored four goals in these two games. Jamal Gay and Reon Nelson also scored.
Impact forwards Peter Byers and Gason Gregory have played against Joe Public FC while they were playing for the San Juan Jabloteh, in the Trinidad & Tobago championship.
“I’m expecting a fast and physical game,” said Gregory. “They have a quick counterattack, so we have to avoid it. They are good offensively, but defensively it’s different. We should do well if we do the right things. It should be easier here with our crowd and the fans behind us.”
Midfielders Rocco Placentino and Mauro Biello are back from injuries. Placentino missed the last 11 games due to a knee injury, while Biello missed the last eight games due to a heel injury.
Midfielder David Testo will miss Wednesday’s game due to a one-game suspension after receiving two yellow cards against Real Estelí.
Note that it is still possible to purchase excellent tickets for Wednesday’s game by dialling 514-328-3668 or through Admission Network at 514-790-1245.
OTHER FACTS
• Goalkeeper Matt Jordan shut out Real Estelí two times. He had also registered two shutouts in four games of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
• The three referees that will be on hand Wednesday are Americans.
• The Impact became the first Canadian team to qualify to the CONCACAF Champions League after winning the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, July 22, with a 1-1 tie against the Toronto FC.
• The group stage consists of four groups of four. All the teams in each group will play each other in a round-robin system during six match dates (three home games, three away games) from September 16 to October 30.
• Joe Public FC qualified in the group of 24 clubs of the CONCACAF Champions League after finishing second in the 2007 Caribbean Club Championships, behind Harbour View FC of Jamaica.
NEXT GAMES
• Saturday, September 20 – IMPACT @ Minnesota – 8 pm (USLlive.com)
• Sunday, September 21 – Puerto Rico @ IMPACT – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
-End of the regular season-
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
