In its last game on Wednesday, the Impact played to a 0-0 tie with Mexican club Atlante FC, in front of 12,187 spectators at Saputo Stadium in their second match of the CONCACAF Champions League group stage.
“It will be tough because we had to make the longest trip possible in our league after giving a huge effort Wednesday against Atlante FC,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “I think that the Sounders are better than a team that ended the season sixth in the standings. They have a lot of experience, their players are sturdy so they can play a physical style, as well as being good technically. It’s probably one of the most complete teams in the league.”
This is the third time that both clubs meet in the playoffs. The Impact won the championship final in 2004 by a 2-0 score. The following season, the Impact lost to the Sounders 4-3 the semifinal series on aggregate goals. In 2007, the Sounders won the USL D1 title after winning the championship final 4-0 against the Atlanta Silverbacks, September 30.
“The two games will be very tough because we are facing the defending champions,” noted Impact team captain Mauro Biello. “They know how to win. I hope that we will carry the confidence that we built up with the result against Atlante FC. If we want to go through to the next round we have to start with a good result in our first game over there.”
Since the Sounders entered the league in 1994, the Impact has a record of 9-13-2 against its west coast rivals. During the 2008 regular season, the Impact and the Sounders tied 1-1 on June 28 in Seattle. The Sounders then shut out the Impact 1-0 on July 13 at Saputo Stadium. Then on September 10, once again on the west coast, the Impact won 2-1.
“We are going to Seattle to win,” said Impact midfielder Joey Gjertsen, who is from Tacoma, in the suburbs of Seattle. “We will try to dictate the game and set the tone by possessing the ball but we will face a team that will want to score a few goals at home before coming to Montreal. Playoffs are as important as the CONCACAF Champions League for different reasons so again we may have to juggle with the line-up in those two games.”
A few regular players did not travel with the team on the West Coast: defender Nevio Pizzolitto, midfielders Sandro Grande and David Testo, as well as forward Peter Byers.
Midfielder Patrick Leduc made the trip to Seattle. He may play on Friday after missing 10 games due to an ankle injury.
The second and decisive game of the aggregate goal series will be played Sunday at Saputo Stadium (5 pm, THE TEAM 990, CKAC Sports, USLlive.com).
OTHER FACTS
• The Impact has a lifetime record of 15-15-5 in the playoffs (43GF-36GA). The Impact has missed the playoffs only three times in 14 seasons: in 1993, 2000 and 2001. The Impact has won two championships, in 1994 and 2004.
• Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan ended the season first in the league with a Goal allowed average of 0.760 after 25 games played.
• The Impact ended the season with the second best defense in the league after conceding 28 goals, tied with Vancouver, five more than Puerto Rico.
• For a second straight season, forward Sébastien Letoux led the Sounders with 14 goals and 32 points. He finished his season second in the league behind Miami FC forward Alex Afonso (15 goals).
ELSWHERE IN THE LEAGUE FRIDAY
Minnesota (7) @ Vancouver (2) – 10 pm
Charleston (5) @ Rochester (4) – 7 :35 pm
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
