June 10, 2006 USL Toronto Lynx vs Montreal Impact pre-game story (from Montreal Impact web site)
IMPACT VISITS THE TORONTO LYNX SUNDAY
TORONTO, June 10, 2006 The Montreal Impact, playing Sunday its seventh game of the season, is facing the Toronto Lynx (0-6-1) at Centennial Park Stadium (6 pm, CJAD 800 AM, Sport Plus XM-172).
THE GAME AT A GLANCE
After going undefeated in its first home stand of the season (2-0-1), the Impact will play its fourth road game of the year. In its last away match-up, May 13 in Charleston, the Impact lost 3-1 against the Battery.
Impact assistant coach Peter Pinizzotto will face his former team. He was the Lynx head coach from 1997 to 2003. Defender Mauricio Vincello was also with the Lynx from 2000 to 2003.
In its last home game, Sunday, June 4th, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, the Impact collected a 1-0 win against the Puerto Rico Islanders, on a goal by Mauricio Salles (20th).
After Sundays game in Toronto, the Impact will have played one full quarter of its 28-game regular-season schedule.
After six games so far this season, three Montreal players have played all minutes of all games (540): goalkeeper Greg Sutton, as well as central defenders Gabriel Gervais and Nevio Pizzolitto.
THE OPPONENT
Midfielders Chris Williams and David Diplacido, as well as defender Andres Arango (traded for Mauricio Vincello) have played in Montreal.
The Toronto Lynx (0-6-1) are last in USL D1 standings with only one point. That point was collected in their last game, Sunday, June 4, in Toronto, following a 0-0 tie with the Virginia Beach Mariners.
The Lynx have scored only one goal this season. Midfielder Osni Neto scored in a 2-1 loss against the Portland Timbers on May 21. So far this season, the opponent has scored 11 goals against Toronto.
Last year, the Ontario team ended the season last in the standings (3-17-8).
Since 1993, the Impact has a lifetime record of 24-12-4 against Toronto teams. Montreal has not lost in its last seven meetings against Toronto (5-0-2).
In the last game in Toronto, on July 22, 2005, the Impact won 1-0. Mauro Biello scored the game-winning goal at the 38th minute.
PRE-GAMES COMMENTS
IMPACT HEAD COACH NICK DE SANTIS
"Toronto is a team that is always well prepared to face us. There is a rivalry between the two clubs and they always have that extra motivation when they play against us. They got their first point of the season last Sunday so the atmosphere around the team must be better. No doubt, we are going there to get the three points. We will have to play with the same intensity as last week against Puerto Rico but the most important thing is to have fun on the field. If we have a positive approach, we will get a good result."
MIDFIELDER PATRICK LEDUC
"The Lynx have always been rivals due to their geographical proximity. The desire to be the best team in Canada is always there. And several players have played on the opposing side. We came up with a good performance last Sunday so we want to build on that and not let up."
DEFENDER MAURICIO VINCELLO
"Games against the Lynx are always hard physically. Montreal-Toronto games are classics and both teams want the win at any cost. It's the first match-up of the season between us so we want to have a good game and set the tone. We will do whatever it takes to win it. We will have to continue our good work defensively and also try to find the net."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
IMPACT
MAURO BIELLO (M/A) - Impacts leading scorer against the Lynx last year (2G, 1A 5 PTS).
MAURICIO SALLES (F) - Scored two goals this season (2G, 0A 4 PTS).
ANTONIO RIBEIRO (M) - Was picked on the USL D1 Team of the Week last Monday (1G, 2P 4 PTS).
TORONTO
OSNI NETO (M) - The Brazilian midfielder is the only Lynx player to have scored this season (1G, 0A 2 PTS).
JAMIE DODDS (M) - Lynxs leading scorer in 2005 (5G, 3A 13 PTS).
JOE MATTACHIONE (M) - Only player to score against the Impact in 2005 (1G, 0A 2 PTS).
FACTS TO FOLLOW
Defender Jason DiTullio is 71 minutes away from the 5,000 minutes played mark with the Impact. Defenders Adam Braz (4,847) and Mauricio Vincello (4,687) are also approaching this mark.
Captain Mauro Biello is two games away from the 300 career games played mark in the USL (298).
With 63 career shutouts before todays game, goalkeeper Greg Sutton continues to improve on his all-time team record.
Forward Darko Kolic has played 98 career games with the Impact and has tallied 99 points in the league.
INJURIES
Team Player (Position) Injury Status
MTL - Kirk Wilson (M) ankle - could miss Sundays game
MTL - Leonardo Di Lorenzo (M) foot - return date TBD
MTL - Gerry Argento (G) concussion - return date TBD
IMPACT LAST GAME
Sun. June 4: Porto Rico 0 - Impact 1(@ Montreal, 9,809 spectators)
Goal: Mauricio Salles (Antonio Ribeiro) 20th
NEXT GAMES
Wed. June 14 - Atlanta Silverbacks @ Impact - Claude-Robillard Sports Complex - 7 pm
Sun. June 18 - Portland Timbers @ Impact - Claude-Robillard Sports Complex - 4 pm
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallιe, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
Montreal Impact
8770 boul. Langelier, suite 224
Montreal (Quebec) H1P 3C6
T: (514) 328-3668 | F:(514) 328-1287
E:info@impactmontreal.com
.
.