The Impact and the Whitecaps are battling for first place in the NASL division. Montreal is currently in second place, four points behind Vancouver, but with a game in hand.
The Impact overcame a two-goal deficit to earn a draw in Cary, North Carolina, last Saturday, scoring two goals in the final 15 minutes of the match, securing a 2-2 tie with the Carolina RailHawks.
"We were a little disappointed that we did not win our last mach because we played really well,” said Patrick Leduc, who has started the last two games as a central defender. “Recently, we have been allowing goals from set plays because of lapses in concentration. Vancouver does really well with free kicks, so it will be important to remain focused.”
This matchup marks the 4th meeting of the season between both teams, but only the second regular season game. All three previous games ended in a draw.
On May 15, at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, the game ended in a 0-0 tie. Both Canadian Nutrilite Championship games ended in 1-1 ties, on May 5 in Vancouver and on May 26 in Montreal.
In 19 games played in Montreal, the Impact has lost only three times against Vancouver.
"We really want the three points against Vancouver, and as a result, climb closer to first place in our division,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We are all aware of the importance of this game. We need to win at home.”
"We have a tendency of giving up the first goal, which puts us in a bad position. It’s not ideal to be forced to continuously come from behind in a game,” said Philippe Billy. "However, the team continues to grow and we have been working well together. Our ball possession game has been getting better.”
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan (groin), striker (Eduardo Sebrango (groin), as well as defenders Stefano Pesoli (toe) and Hicham Aaboubou (personal reasons), will not be available Wednesday.
The Whitecaps are playing the 4th of 5 consecutive road games. Head coach Teitur Thordarson’s squad is unbeaten during that span. The Whitecaps won 2-1 in Austin on June 12, tied Puerto Rico 1-1 on June 16, and drew 0-0 with St. Louis, last Saturday.
Forward Cornelius Stewart will not be available for Wednesday’s game after receiving two yellow cards in St. Louis. Striker Marcus Haber returned to England, rejoining his Premier League club, West Bromwich, after a two-month loan to the Whitecaps. Also, forward Marlon James (calf), goalkeeper Dan Pelc (back) and central defender Mouloud Akloul (ankle) will also miss the game due to injuries.
Tickets for Wednesday’s game are still available through Admission (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com), as well as at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office.
OTHER FACTS
• Midfielder Tony Donatelli is leading the team in scoring with three goals and eight points.
• Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic has played the last five games for the Impact (1-1-3, 6GA).
• Midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo earned his 16th career assist on Saturday, in Cary, tying him with Grant Needham for 6th place on the club’s all-time assists leaders. Mauro Biello is the all-time leader with 65 assists.
• Vancouver recently acquired forward Alex Eliott, a former member of the under-20 Canadian national team. He has played in Germany over the last three years.
• Many players for both sides have played with the opponents at some time in their careers. Impact midfielders David Testo and Tony Donatelli, striker Eduardo Sebrango, as well as goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic have played for the Whitecaps. Whitecaps’ midfielder Martin Nash and defender Chris Williams have donned the white and blue in Montreal.
NEXT THREE MATCHES
• Saturday, July 3 – IMPACT @ Rochester – Paetec Park – 7pm (rhinossoccer.com)
• Saturday, July 10 – IMPACT @ St. Louis - Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park – 8:10pm (ac-stlouis.com)
• Wednesday, July 14 – Carolina @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium - 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 277
