Montreal registered its first win of the season with a 1-0 shut out win against Puerto Rico Islanders last Saturday, at Saputo Stadium.
"After our win against Puerto Rico, we want to tally three more points at home because we know that the next trip on the west coast will be tough," declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Minnesota is a complicated team that defends well, especially on the road. They also have players like Civilikas, Tarley and Menyongar, who can cause problems and hurt us."
"We have to take the positive elements from our last games and build on them," said midfielder Rocco Placentino. "We want to get at the top of the standings and three points would help us. A good result Saturday would motivate the team and keep the morale up."
The Impact has a lifetime record of .500 in 15 matches (5-5-5, 21 GF – 17 GA) versus Minnesota, which was known as the Thunder, from 1997 to 2009.
In three games in 2009, the Impact lost 3-0 July 11 in Minnesota, won 1-0 August 9 at Saputo Stadium and played to a 1-1 draw on September 13, once again in Montreal.
At home, the Impact remains undefeated in seven matches versus their Minnesota rivals (4-0-3, 13 GF – 3 GA).
The Stars are playing their sixth game of the campaign in the USSF Second Division in a 20-day span. In their most recent match, last Saturday, Minnesota lost 2-1 at home versus the Austin Aztex.
Forward Roberto Brown will be back on the lineup Saturday after missing one regular season match and one Nutrilite Canadian Championship match. However, Brown will have to serve his second and last match of a suspension imposed by the Canadian Soccer League, Wednesday against Toronto.
Forward Eduardo Sebrango (groin), as well as defenders Cédric Joqueviel (thigh) and Stefano Pesoli (ankle) will not take part in the match due to injuries.
Tickets for Saturday’s game at Saputo Stadium are on sale through Admission (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595/ admission.com), as well as at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office. 2010 mini-season tickets for five or ten matches are also available.
OTHER FACTS
• Five Stars players will miss the match today due to injuries: defender Ely Allen and forward Warren Ukah who are both nursing ankle injuries, as well as midfielder Devin Del Do, who suffers from a knee injury.
• Goalkeeper Louis Crayton (knee) and defender Vorgen Less (Achilles’ tendon) have suffered season-ending injuries and should not be back in 2010.
• Defender Daniel Wasson will also miss the game due to an automatic one game suspension following his ejection of the match against Austin. Defender Brian Kallman will also be suspended for the game after the USSF extended his suspension to two games for his red card on April 24 against Tampa Bay.
NEXT THREE MATCHES
• Wednesday, May 12 – Toronto @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 8 pm (Sportsnet)
• Saturday, May 15 – IMPACT @ Vancouver – Swangard Stadium – 10:30 pm (Radio-Canada, whitecapsfc.com)
• Wednesday, May 19 – IMPACT @ Portland – PGE Park – 10 pm
Nutrilite Canadian Championship match
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
