“We are looking forward to this first game,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis, for whom it will be his first game opener as coach. “The enthusiasm and intensity should be there tomorrow. We want to start the season on the right foot with a win. It will not be easy with Charleston, a team that should battle for first place in the standings this season.”
“We are excited with the start of the new season,” said Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who was the team’s MVP last year. “There are a lot of new challenges ahead of us. We will have to work hard to have success. We have been preparing well in the past three months and we are ready.”
“We feel we have the team to accomplish great things again this season,” said Impact veteran defender Nevio Pizzolitto, who will kick off his 15th season with the Impact. “We have a balanced roster with the adequate players at every position.”
The Impact and the Battery are matching up for the 5th time in a season opener. The Impact is playing under the .500 mark in 17 games against Charleston (8-9-0, 18GF – 18GA). Last season, in Charleston, the Impact lost twice: 1-0 on May 14 and 3-1 on June 7. The Impact won by shutout 1-0 at Saputo Stadium, on June 13.
The Battery is playing its second game of the season but the first one at home. On April 11, the Battery and the Whitecaps tied 0-0 at Swangard Stadium, in Burnaby, near Vancouver. Goalkeeper Dusty Hudock registered the shutout.
“The Battery is a tough team to play at home” added Pizzolitto. “After their draw with Vancouver, they will want to get the win. If we play strong defensively and create good scoring chances, we should get a good result.”
Impact team captain Mauro Biello, who recovered from a clavicle injury, forward Roberto Brown, who did not practice Thursday and who is recovering from a light ankle injury, as well as newcomer Pa Amadou Gai, did not travel with the team.
Defender Stefano Pesoli, who underwent knee surgery this winter, will be out of the lineup for the next few weeks. He may be back in June. Midfielder Patrick Leduc, is still healing from a foot injury. The date of his return is still unknown.
Montreal is playing its first official game since the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series against Mexican club Santos Laguna. The Impact had won the first game 2-0 in front of 55,571 spectators at Olympic Stadium, before losing the away game 5-2, March 5, in Torreón.
The Impact ended its training camp with a record of 11-2-2 in 15 exhibition games.
The Impact kicks off the season with three games on the road before its home opener at Saputo Stadium, Saturday May 9, at 3:30 pm, against the Rochester Rhinos.
OTHER FACTS
• Since the Impact’s debut in 1993, the team has a lifetime record of six wins, six losses and three ties in season openers (18GF – 15GA).
• This is the first of three games between the two clubs this season. The two teams will match up again in Montreal, on May 15 and July 5.
• Simon Gatti’s next start will be his 50th with the Impact.
• Adam Braz’ next game will be his 102nd game with the Impact. He will tie Mauricio Vincello at 13th place in club history.
• Several new players played their first game with the Battery: Matt Bobo, Frankie Sanfilippo, Kenji Treschuk, Tom Heinemann, Daniel Antoniuk and Jamie Watson.
• Saturday, the Battery should also line up Japanese player Tsuyoshi Yoshitake and new midfielder Scott Buete.
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
