First, in Charleston, the Montreal squad will try to set the pace at Blackbaud Stadium, where it has lost its last three match-ups and has a lifetime record of 1-3.
"The guys know they haven’t won in Charleston over the past few years and it’s something they would like to change," said Impact head coach Nick DeSantis. "To do that, we’ll have to be fully focused defensively. Charleston is a physical team with a lot of experience. We will have to win 50-50 balls and knock-downs from the midfield. And we’ll have to use our speed to get behind their defence."
Circumstances will be different this time for the Impact, however. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, the Montreal squad was playing its season opener when facing the Battery, while Friday, it will already have a game under its belt.
Sunday, the Impact beat the Islanders 2-0 in Puerto Rico in its 2004 season opener, on goals by Eduardo Sebrango and Patrick Leduc. Both players were selected on the A-League Team of the Week.
"Every team wants to win their first game," said DeSantis. "It sets the tone for the season and it gives you a certain confidence. Right now, everyone is fighting for each other and the atmosphere on the team is good following our first win."
"They’re the A-League champs, so we respect them, but they also have to respect us," stated defender Gabriel Gervais about the Battery. "After all, we finished on top of Eastern Conference standings last season."
The Impact has a lifetime record of 5-2 in Atlanta, where it has won two season openers, in 1996 and 1998. This time, however, Montreal will be playing its second game in 24 hours.
"That’s life in the A-League, everybody has to go through it," noted Gervais. "But it’s not insurmountable, it’s all in the mental approach. It’s very demanding physically, but you can compensate by focusing more and staying disciplined."
Meanwhile, Impact management confirmed that defender Abraham François tore the ACL behind his left knee. The 26-year-old Montrealer was injured a week ago, in a pre-season game against the McGill Redmen at Lachine’s Catalogna Soccerplexe. A speedy recovery could allow him to return in time for the last few games of the season, and if necessary, the playoffs.
-30-
SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
