THE GAME AT A GLANCE
• In Montreal’s last game, June 28, the Impact handed the Rhinos their first loss of the season, 1-0 in front of 11,369 spectators at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. Defender Nevio Pizzolitto scored the game-winning goal, while goalkeeper Andrew Weber earned his fourth shutout in five starts since taking over for the injured Greg Sutton. Both players were named on the USL First Division Team of the Week.
• Weber and the Impact have not allowed a goal in 337 minutes of play.
• The Impact is undefeated in its last seven games (5-0-3) this year and leads its opponents 11-1 in goals during that stretch.
• The Impact is currently in 3rd place overall in USL D1 standings with 22 points, 3 points behind first place — presently held by Vancouver Whitecaps. However, Montreal has six games in hand.
• Montreal has not lost in its last eight games against the Whitecaps (6-0-2) and leads 12-2 in goals during that stretch.
THE OPPONENT
• The Whitecaps are 1st overall in USL D1 standings with 25 points.
• Vancouver is playing the third of four games on the road.
• After being shut out 2-0 in Rochester, Monday, the Whitecaps lost 2-1 against the Toronto Lynx, Wednesday.
• The Whitecaps have not lost at home this season (5-0-3) but have a negative record on the road (1-4-4).
• Last year, Vancouver finished third overall and was eliminated in the quarterfinals against the Richmond Kickers in penalty kicks after two 0-0 ties.
• Among Vancouver’s newcomers are forwards Corey Woolfolk (Puerto Rico Islanders) and David Testo (Columbus, MLS), as well as goalkeeper Tony Caig (Newcastle United, England).
PRE-GAMES COMMENTS
HEAD-COACH NICK DE SANTIS
“Montreal-Vancouver games are always exciting because of the Canadian rivalry between the two clubs. It’s an important game for the standings. The teams that want to win championships have to win their games at home. We had a couple days off to prepare for that game and we will be ready to face them.”
DEFENDER NEVIO PIZZOLITTO
“It will be another important game for us. I’m expecting a tight game like the one against Rochester. We will try to take advantage from the fact that they are in a little slump right now. Having lost their last two games, they will come here to win. Usually, they are a team that plays a more defensive game but they will probably open up and we’ll try to take advantage of it.”
MIDFIELDER PATRICK LEDUC
“There is a healthy rivalry between the two clubs because we are two franchises that are doing well on and off the field. There is always the will to be the best team in Canada. Tomorrow we will try to do well in front of our fans. We want to continue the good work we did in our last games, by trying to control the play during 90 minutes.”
FACTS TO FOLLOW
• After 11 games so far this season, two Montreal players have played every minute of every game (990): central defenders Gabriel Gervais and Nevio Pizzolitto.
• If he plays in Friday’s game, it will be forward Darko Kolic’s 100th career game with the Impact. He will be the 11th Impact player to reach this mark. He also has tallied 99 points in the league.
INJURIES
Team – Player (Position) – Injury – Status
MTL - Antonio Ribeiro (M) – hamstring - day to day
MTL - Leonardo Di Lorenzo (M) – foot - day to day
MTL - Gerry Argento (G) – concussion - day to day
MTL - Greg Sutton (G) – fractured index - return date TBD
MTL - David Fronimadis (D) – knee - return date TBD
VAN - Eduardo Sebrango (F) - fractured right foot - will be out approx. 4 weeks
VAN - Corey Woolfolk (F) - fractured tibia - will be out approx. 3 weeks
VAN - Alfredo Valente (F) - right knee - will be out approx. 2 weeks
VAN - Jason Jordan (F) - right foot - return date TBD
IMPACT LAST GAME
Wed. June 28: Rochester 0- Impact 1 (@ Montreal, 11,369 spectators)
NEXT GAMES
Tue. July 11 - Toronto Lynx @ Impact - Claude-Robillard Sports Complex - 7:30 pm
Sat. July 15 - Impact @ Seattle Sounders - Qwest Field - 10 pm
Sun. July 16 - Impact @ Vancouver Whitecaps - Swangard Stadium - 10 pm
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
