Montreal is defending its Canadian championship title, which allowed it to advance to the CONCACAF Champions League in 2008.
“It would be great to kick off the tournament with a good result there," said midfielder Rocco Placentino, who registered at least one point in each of the last three games. “We will try to defend our crown but we know it will tough. Even though we did not get the results we wanted in the last games, we are going there with confidence. We want to win the cup again.”
The Impact has not won in its last four regular season games. In its last game, Saturday, the Impact lost 2-1 against the Rochester Rhinos in the home opener at Saputo Stadium.
“We have to do better and rebound from last game. We realize that we could be playing better but the pace is there,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. "We have the chance to show that we are a good team. We have the opportunity to do again great things in that competition. If we work hard, we will get a positive result. It’s a different competition but a good result could help us for the upcoming games in the USL.”
Last year, in the decisive game of the tournament, the Impact and the Toronto FC had tied 1-1, on July 22, at BMO Field. That result had guaranteed the title to the Montreal team.
“We have kept good memories from the game we played in Toronto,” said defender Adam Braz. “Again this year, we are expecting a tough and physical game. They have a good team, which had good results lately. They have good players who like to attack so we will have to play well defensively as a team.”
Toronto is undefeated in its last five games (3-0-2). Midfielders Dwayne De Rosario and Amado Guevara are currently the club’s top scorers this season, with three goals each. Guevara is also the best playmaker with four assists.
Defender Stefano Pesoli, as well as midfielders Patrick Leduc and Leonardo Di Lorenzo did not travel with their teammates in Toronto due to injuries. Impact forward Pa Amadou Gai is currently in Gambia for personal reasons.
OTHER FACTS
• In the first edition of the tournament, the Impact had lost 1-0 against Toronto, May 27 at Saputo Stadium, had signed two 2-0 wins against the Vancouver Whitecaps at home, on June 17 and abroad, on June 25, before tying 1-1 in Toronto, on July 22.
• The Montreal Impact, Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps are facing each other in a six-game tournament for a spot in the newly formed CONCACAF Champions League.
• In the first game of the tournament, on May 6, Toronto FC shut out the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0, in front of 19,811 spectators at BMO Field. Kevin Harmse scored the game-winning goal.
• Goalkeeper Matt Jordan was named the 2008 tournament MVP after conceding only two goals in four games.
• There are only five Canadian players in the Toronto FC roster.
NEXT GAMES
• Friday, May 15 – Charleston @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Sunday, May 17– Austin @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, May 20 – Vancouver @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 8 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
Nutrilite Canadian Championship
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
PRE-GAME VIDEO
VIDEO - 2008 REVIEW
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
