“The next two games against Atlanta are vital because if we win these two games, it puts us in a very good position for making it to the playoffs,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “I think that we have to show more consistency. We have to continue playing well at home and win at Saputo Stadium. We have to be aggressive and show them that we want to win.”
In its last game Saturday, the Impact lost 2-1 (halftime 0-0) against the Portland Timbers, at PGE Park, in Portland, Oregon.
“We thought that we would come back from our trip in Portland with three points, but that game was tough, so now we have to get back those lost points,” said defender Cédric Joqueviel. “We cannot afford to lose points at home. Hopefully, we were successful here lately. We hope that the fans will be pushing us again. We will try to play a good first game to put pressure on them in the second game. I think that if we can intimidate them a bit and play physically, it will help us in the second game.”
With a win against the Silverbacks, the Impact would have another chance to move up to 7th place in the standings, taking the last spot for the playoffs.
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan will be back in nets Wednesday after giving his place to Andrew Weber for the last game in Portland. Forward Roberto Brown will also be back in the lineup after having missed the last three matches due to a three-game suspension. He was ejected from the game against the Rochester Rhinos, July 27.
“The return of Roberto (Brown) is giving us one more option offensively,” added Limniatis. “He is a player who can play with the ball in his feet, but who is also good in the air, in addition to being able to keep the ball in the offensive third.”
Since 2002, the Impact has a lifetime record of 10-3-1 (23GF-12GA) in 14 games against the Silverbacks. At home, the Impact never lost in six games against the Silverbacks (10GF – 1 GA).
The Silverbacks are successful at home this season with a record of 7-2-5 but they have won only once on the road so far this season (1-4-3).
In the first game between both teams, the Impact lost 3-2 in Atlanta. In that loss, midfielder Patrick Leduc had tallied one goal and one assist.
OTHER FACTS
• Veteran Patrick Leduc’s next game will be his 200th career game with the Impact. He will become the fourth Impact player to reach that mark after Nick De Santis (219), Nevio Pizzolitto (225) and Mauro Biello (322). For the first time this season, he may not be on the starting lineup Wednesday.
• Atlanta has the second best offensive in the league, having scored 33 goals since the beginning of the season for an average of 1,5 goals per game. The Puerto Rico Islanders lead with an average of 1,57 goals scored per game.
• Rookie forward Macoumba Kandji leads the Silverbacks with 10 goals and leads the league with 25 points. Only Miami FC forward Alex Afonso has more goals (11).
NEXT GAMES
• Sunday, August 24 – Atlanta @ IMPACT – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, August 27 – Real Esteli @ IMPACT – 8 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Saturday, August 30 – IMPACT @ Carolina – 7:30 pm (Radio-Canada, USLlive.com)
• Tuesday, September 2 – IMPACT @ Real Esteli FC – 10 pm (Radio-Canada, 11 pm)
*CONCACAF Champions League
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
