It will be a third game in 11 days for the Impact.
In its last match, the Impact lost 3-1 against the Minnesota Stars, Saturday at Saputo Stadium. Midfielder Ian Westlake scored his first career goal with the team.
“We tried to find a way to put more pressure on the opponent team,” declared Montreal Impact sporting director and head coach Nick De Santis. “In the last game against Minnesota, we gave them too much space, which made them grow in confidence. We are playing at home, it is our job to dictate the rhythm of play.”
“Winning is what matters the most,” said Impact defender Philippe Billy. “It is important to liberate ourselves, to play more relaxed. We have to keep focus on the defensive aspect while playing relaxed on the offensive side. We must dare and to not be afraid of missing a play.”
It will be the fourth and last matchups between both teams this season. The Impact will try to win its first game against the Floridian team. Previously this season, the team lost 1-0 in St-Petersburg, on April 9, played to a 0-0 tie, on April 23 at Saputo Stadium, and was shut out 3-0, on May 21, in Florida.
However, Montreal is unbeaten at home against Tampa Bay, with 3-0-1 record.
FC Tampa Bay is currently fourth in the NASL standings with a record of seven wins, six losses and six ties for a total of 27 points in 19 games.
In its last game, Saturday, Tampa Bay shut out the Atlanta Silverbacks 4-0, in Georgia. Midfielder Keith Savage was named the NASL Offensive player of the week on Monday, after scoring his first two goals of the season. His teammate, forward Mike Ambersley is second in the league with nine goals, while Aaron King is fourth with six goals this season.
Goalkeeper Evan Bush, who has played the last nine games, will leave the net to Greg Sutton, who will start his first game of the season, since returning with the Impact on July 16.
“I have spent a lot of time here and having an opportunity to try help the team win is nice,” said goalkeeper Greg Sutton. “We just need to get results. We need to make things difficult for the other team and work hard. If you go out with that attitude every game, you will be tough to beat.”
Midfielders Hassoun Camara and Amir Lowery will be available on Wednesday, after serving a one-game suspension for an accumulation of five cautions.
Forward Reda Agourram, who was back on the field for training last Friday, will not be available for the game. Midfielder David Testo will also miss the game due to a groin injury.
Goalkeeper Bill Gaudette (ankle), midfielders Leonardo Di Lorenzo (thigh) and Antonio Ribeiro (calf), as well as forward Marco Terminesi (thigh) are also still injured.
Tickets for this game are still available through Admission Network (admission.com / 514-790-1245) or at Saputo Stadium’s ticketing office.
The Impact U21 team will play its next two games on the road. The team will face the St-Catharines Wolves, Friday night, before playing agasinst the North York Astros, on Saturday, at Esther Shiner Stadium. The team is now second in the Canadian Soccer League overall standings with a record of 9-5-4.
NEXT THREE GAMES
•Sunday, Aug. 14 – Atlanta Silverbacks @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 6pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
•Saturday, Aug. 20 – Minnesota Stars @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2:30pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
•Saturday, Aug. 27 – IMPACT @ Minnesota Stars – National Sports Center – 8pm (nscminnesota.com)
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