The Impact plays the last of a three-game series on the road before its home opener at Saputo Stadium, Saturday, May 9, against the Rochester Rhinos (3:30 pm, Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
The Impact is looking for its first win of the season. In its first two games, the Impact tied the Battery 0-0 at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, and then lost 2-1 against the Miami FC, on April 24, in Miami.
“No matter what the result is, there are always a few adjustments to make after a game,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “After our first two games, we have worked on basic plays because we want to make sure that all players know what they have to do on the field. We have to continue working and be consistent. We don’t have to change everything after a loss, so the lineup will be almost the same, but we need to get a positive result in Puerto Rico.”
“We were disappointed of the first two games because we did not do enough to win,” said Impact forward Eduardo Sebrango, who scored the only Impact goal in Miami. “We spoke about it this week and we want things to turn around this weekend. We have to get back our level of play. We have a favourable schedule right now, so we need to bank some points.”
The Impact lost once in 14 regular season games against the Puerto Rico Islanders (9-1-4).
The Islanders signed a 2-1 victory against Vancouver, April 18, in their home opener, and then tied Rochester 0-0 once again at home, on April 24.
The 2008 regular season defending champion reached the CONCACAF Champions League semifinal round, but was eliminated in shootouts by Mexican club SC Cruz Azul.
“Puerto Rico is one of the toughest teams to play against at home,” said midfielder Tony Donatelli, who played the first two games of the season. “It’s a physical team that is similar to ours and that is well organized. We want to earn a win there before our home opener the following weekend. It would be great for the team’s confidence.”
Defender Cédric Joqueviel, who suffered a light ankle sprain in the first game in Charleston, traveled with his teammates to Puerto Rico.
Defender Stefano Pesoli, midfielders Patrick Leduc, Félix Brillant and Mauro Biello, as well as forward Peter Byers, did not travel to Puerto Rico.
OTHER FACTS
• Defender Nevio Pizzolitto received his 50th career caution last Friday in Miami, a record in team history. Pizzolitto also ranks first in club history in career fouls with 337, tied with Nick De Santis.
• After fifteen games this season in the USL First Division, only one team has won on the road (1-8-6).
• Last year, the Impact signed a 2-1 victory, on May 2, in Puerto Rico, lost 1-0 on July 6 at Saputo Stadium, and then both teams tied 0-0, September 21 again in Montreal.
• This is the first of three games between both teams this season. Montreal and Puerto Rico will play again on July 19 in Montreal and August 15 in Bayamon.
NEXT GAMES
• Saturday, May 9 – Rochester @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, May 13 – IMPACT @ Toronto FC – BMO Field – 8 pm (Nutrilite Canadian Championship)
• Friday, May 15 – Charleston @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
PRE-GAME VIDEO
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
