THE GAME AT A GLANCE
• On Sunday, the Impact tied the Honduran national team (ranked 52nd in the world) 1-1, in its first pre-season match, in Fort Lauderdale.
• Impact forward Fabian Dawkins scored the tying goal with less than 10 minutes to play on a breakaway, with Charles Gbeke preparing the goal.
• Impact goalkeeper Andrew Weber started the first half and Matt Jordan played the second.
• Last year, in regular season, the Impact had a 2-1-1 record in four games against the Rhinos.
•The Rhinos clinched their first pre-season win, Tuesday, beating Miami FC 3-2 at Lynn University. Defender Scott Palguta (25th minute), forward Chad Severs (75th) and midfielder Ryan Wileman (85th) scored for the Rhinos.
• The Rhinos previously lost two exhibition matches to Major League Soccer clubs: a 3-2 loss against the Los Angeles Galaxy, March 22, and a 2-0 defeat to the FC Dallas March 24.
• Last year, Rochester finished the season in second place overall in the United Soccer Leagues First Division standings with a record of 13-4-11.
TRAINING CAMP NOTES
• A total of 25 players are currently in training camp, in Florida: 17 of those players are under contract with the Montreal Impact for the 2007 season.
• Forward Massimo Di Ioia joined his teammates after participating in the U-20 Canadian national team’s training camp, which was held in British-Colombia.
TRYING TO EARN A SPOT
Defenders Hicham Aaboubou, Mark Jankovic and Paul Moran, midfielder Seth Trembly, forwards Charles Gbeke, Matt Palleschi, Evans Asembia and Ablaye Camara are trying to earn a spot on the team.
DID NOT MAKE THE TRIP
Defenders Jason DiTullio and Nevio Pizzolitto, and midfielder Shaun Tsakiris, did not make the trip to Florida due to injuries. Midfielder Lars Lyssand did not report to camp and is currently trying out with MLS teams. All four players are under contract with the Impact.
NEWCOMERS
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan, defender Andres Arango, midfielders Martin Fabro, Jason McLaughlin and Shaun Tsakiris, as well as forwards Fabian Dawkins and Frederico Moojen are the Impact’s new acquisitions.
NO LONGER WITH THE CLUB
Goalkeeper Greg Sutton (signed with Toronto, MLS), defenders Adam Braz (signed with Toronto, MLS) and Bill Sedgewick (contract not renewed), midfielders Masahiro Fukasawa (signed in Thailand) and Mesut Mert (released), as well as forwards Mauricio Salles (traded to Atlanta, USL), Daniel Antoniuk (traded to Atlanta, USL), Darko Kolic (contract not renewed) and Joel Bailey (contract not renewed).
NEW DEALS
During the off-season, the Impact signed goalkeeper Andrew Weber, defender Mauricio Vincello and forward Massimo Di Ioia to new contracts.
PRE-GAMES COMMENT
HEAD COACH NICK DE SANTIS
“I think the team is progressing well and players are gradually getting more fit. The tie game against Honduras gave us confidence. There is a good atmosphere in the club and it’s positive. We will try to continue in the same direction with the game against the Rhinos.”
OUT OF THE LINE-UP
Team – Player (Position) – Reason – Status
MTL – Gabriel Gervais (D) – Light groin injury – will miss Thursday’s game
MTL – Zé Roberto (M) – Knee – will miss Thursday’s game
MTL – Jason DiTullio (D) – Knee – did not make the trip
MTL – Nevio Pizzolitto (D) – Knee – did not make the trip
MTL – Shaun Tsakiris (M) – Groin – did not make the trip
MTL – Lars Lyssand (M) – did not report to camp
NEXT GAME
Following the last-minute addition of the game against Honduras, Friday’s match-up against Miami FC has been cancelled. The Impact will however square off against Miami, Tuesday April 3.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
