The Impact has lost only once in its last eight regular season games (6-1-1; 15GF – 5 GA). In its last game Monday, goals from Leonardo Di Lorenzo and Peter Byers led the Impact to a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers at Saputo Stadium.
Earlier this season, the Impact tied the Sounders 1-1, June 28, in Seattle and then lost 1-0 on July 13, in Montreal. Since the Sounders arrival in the league in 1994 the Impact has a record of 8-13-2 against its American rivals.
“Seattle is one of the best teams in the league,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “I’m expecting another great effort from all my players which would give us another good result and would consolidate our place in post-season play. Again we will make a few changes to the line up to rest a few players.”
The Sounders, which are playing their last seven games of the season at home, won their last two games by scoring a total of seven goals: 4-3 against the Carolina RailHawks, August 24, and 3-0 against Miami FC, September 6.
Defender Nevio Pizzolitto will serve his third and last game of a three game suspension for elbowing RailHawks forward Ronal Cerritos.
Defender Cédric Joqueviel will also miss Wednesday’s game due to a light ankle injury, but he made the trip with the team and could maybe play Saturday in Vancouver.
An MRI test revealed that forward Roberto Brown’s injury is not too serious and he should be back in the line-up Wednesday, September 17. He did not travel to the West Coast.
Defender Garbriel Gervais, midfielders Patrick Leduc, Mauro Biello and Rocco Placentino, as well as forward Roberto Brown, still injured, did not travel with the team. Healthy scratch midfielder Sita-Taty Matondo stayed in Montreal.
Forward Severino Jefferson, who missed the last game due to a light knee injury should be available Wednesday against Seattle.
Note also that goalkeeper Andrew Weber will start his fourth game of the season.
OTHER FACTS
• After a tough first half of the season, the Impact has been having success since mid-season. The club is first in the league with seven wins and second with 19 goals scored.
• Defender Adam Braz’ next game will be his 100th career game with the Impact.
• Forward Sébastien Letoux leads the Sounders with 12 goals and 28 points. He is currently second in the league in goals and points behind Miami FC forward Alex Afonso.
• The Sounders are the USL D1 defending champions after winning the championship final 4-0 against the Atlanta Silverbacks, September 30, 2007.
• The Sounders are playing their last season in the USL First Division, as they will join Major League Soccer (MLS) next year.
NEXT GAMES
• Saturday, September 13 – IMPACT @ Vancouver – 10 pm (USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, September 17 – Joe Public FC @ IMPACT – 8 pm (to be determined
• Saturday, September 20 – IMPACT @ Minnesota – 10 pm (USLlive.com)
• Sunday, September 21 – Puerto Rico @ IMPACT – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
-End of the regular season-
CONCACAF Champions League
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
