THE GAME AT A GLANCE
• In its last two games, the Impact tied the Virginia Beach Mariners by identical scores of 1-1, last Friday and Sunday at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.
• The Impact remains in first place in USL D1 standings with 40 points, five more than the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have played two more games.
• The Impact also leads the league in wins (11), goals against (11), goals-against average (0.55) and shutouts (12).
• The Impact will try to improve on its team record for best start to the season at home, which presently stands at nine games without a loss (6-0-3).
• Following its last two draws in Virginia Beach, the Impact has tied a club record with seven ties for the season (3 at home, 4 on the road).
• Since 1996, the year Rochester joined the league, the Impact has a 20-11-5 lifetime record against the Rhinos.
• Montreal has not allowed a goal in its last 11 games at home against Rochester (9-0-2 record).
THE OPPONENT
• The Rochester Raging Rhinos are currently fighting for first place in the United Soccer Leagues First Division. They are presently fourth with a record of 9-2-7, good for 34 points. The first two teams in the standings will earn a post-season berth for the semifinals.
• The Rhinos are unbeaten in their last four games (3-0-1).
• In their last game, Saturday, the Rhinos shut out the Atlanta Silverbacks 1-0.
• Last year, Rochester finished second overall and was eliminated in the semifinals (1-3 and 1-1) against the Richmond Kickers.
PRE-GAMES COMMENTS
DEFENDER NEVIO PIZZOLITTO
“Coming back from a two-game suspension, you’re eager to play and you want to do well for your team mates. I think these games against Rochester will be physical, but not dirty. We respect each other a lot. We want to keep our heads focused, play hard, play together and win.”
DEFENDER ADAM BRAZ
“These are two big games for us. If we want to win a championship, we have to beat the good teams in the league, and Rochester certainly is a good squad. We did well against them up to now with one win and one tie, and I expect these games will be another battle for us.”
CAPTAIN MAURO BIELLO
“It will be a big test for us, and we expect two tight games. It’s important for us to continue winning at home, especially as we get closer to the playoffs. We want visiting teams to know that they will have a hard time in Montreal.”
FACTS TO FOLLOW
• Impact captain Mauro Biello is only two points away from the 200-career points mark with the Impact (68G, 62A – 198 PTS).
OUT OF THE LINE-UP
Team – Player (Position) – Reason – Status
MTL - Antonio Ribeiro (M) – red card and accumulation of yellow cards – 2nd of 2-game suspension
MTL - Daniel Antoniuk (F) – concussion – day-to-day
MTL - Gabriel Gervais (D) – groin - will miss at least 1 more week
MTL - Greg Sutton (G) - fractured index finger - could return in August
MTL - Jason DiTullio (D) – knee - season over
NEXT GAME
Fri. August 11 – Impact @ Rochester – Paetec Stadium – 7:35 pm
Wed. August 16 – Charleston @ Impact – Claude-Robillard Sports Complex – 7:30 pm
Wed. August 23 – Impact @ Toronto – Centennial Stadium – 7:30 pm
Fri. August 25 - Virginia Beach @ Impact - Claude-Robillard Sports Complex – 7:30 pm
Sun. August 27 - Virginia Beach @ Impact – Sherbrooke University Stadium (in Sherbrooke) – 4 pm
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
