Montreal Impact News Release - www.montrealimpact.com
Thursday, July 24, 2008
MONTREAL, QUE -- The Montreal Impact (5-8-3; 18 points) is playing its 17th regular season game Friday against the Rochester Rhinos (6-5-6; 24 points) at PAETEC Park, in Rochester (8 pm, FSC/FSW).
This is the first of a home-and-away series between the two clubs, as the Rhinos will visit the Impact Sunday, at Saputo Stadium (3:30 pm, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
In its last game, Tuesday, the Impact was crowned Canadian Champion, after a 1-1 tie against the Toronto FC, at BMO Field.
“What we have accomplished Tuesday is certainly very positive for the club but we can’t forget the importance of our league championship,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. Our first goal is to win the championship so I hope that our Canadian title will bring positive energy and emotion until the end of the season.”
“It’s not normal to be before last in the standings at this stage of the season, especially with our latest success and with the performances that we are able to deliver,” said veteran midfielder Patrick Leduc, who will start his 150th career game with the Impact Friday. “We are not used to this type of situation but we seem to be reacting well when we are under pressure by playing with intensity. We will have to be intense Friday if we want to get the three points. It’s not a bad thing to play against Rochester because there is always emotion in those games. We don’t like to lose against this team.”
Since the Rhinos’ arrival in the league in 1996, the Impact has a record of 24-13-5 against its rivals from Rochester. Last year, the Impact shut out the Rhinos two times in Montreal, 1-0 August 5, then 2-0, August 31, but was shut out 2-0, in Rochester, September 8, in its last regular season game.
Two former Impact players are playing with the Rhinos, midfielder Zé Roberto (3-2-8) and forward Mauricio Salles (4-2-10).
“There was always a rivalry between Montreal and Rochester,” said midfielder Antonio Ribeiro. “Players like Zé Roberto and Mauricio Salles are now in Rochester and will want to play well against us. Rivalry or not, we have to play a good game to get higher in the standings. We want wins Friday and Sunday in Montreal, but the first game is important to show them what we are capable of.”
Impact team captain Mauro Biello went back to Montreal after the game against Toronto FC, and will undergo surgery for his wrist, Friday. The duration of his absence is yet to be determined.
Defender Adam Braz, who got a thigh injury during the last game against Toronto, should be out of the lineup for three weeks. Defender Alex Surprenant joined his teammates in Rochester, for Friday’s game.
OTHER FACTS
• After a tough beginning of the season (0-4-2), the Rhinos bounced back and have lost only once in their last 11 games (6-1-4).
• Midfielder Johny Menyongar leads the Rhinos in points with four goals and 11 points. He was named the USL First Division Player of the Week 14, after tallying one goal and two assists, in the last two Rhinos wins on the road.
• Rhinos midfielder Stephen Guppy will miss Friday’s game due to a one-game suspension.
NEXT GAMES
• Sunday, July 27 – Rochester @ IMPACT – 3:30 pm (CKAC Sports – THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Friday, August 8 – IMPACT @ Carolina – 7:30 pm (USLlive.com)
• Saturday, August 16 – IMPACT @ Portland – 10 pm (USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, August 20 – Atlanta @ IMPACT – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Sunday, August 24 – Atlanta @ IMPACT – 7:30 pm(CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
