August 22, 2006 USL pre-game story Toronto Lynx vs Montreal Impact (from Impact website)

PRE-GAME REPORT: August 22, 2006
THE IMPACT VISITS THE LYNX IN TORONTO WEDNESDAY
TORONTO – The Montreal Impact (12-4-7) is playing Wednesday its 24th game of the season against the Toronto Lynx (5-12-6) at Centennial Stadium (7:30 pm, CJAD 800, Sport Plus XM-172).

THE GAME AT A GLANCE

• In its last game, Wednesday of last week, the Impact was shut out 1-0 against the Charleston Battery, in front of 13,017 spectators at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.

• The Impact remains in first place in USL D1 standings with 43 points, four points ahead of the Rochester Raging Rhinos.

• Following Miami FC’s loss in Atlanta against the Silverbacks, last Saturday, the Impact mathematically clinched a playoff spot. Six teams will take part in post-season play, with the top two teams earning a bye into the semi-final round.

• Since the team’s re-launch in 2002, this is the fifth consecutive season the Impact qualifies for the playoffs, the 10th in its 13-year existence.

• Since 1993, the year Toronto joined the league (Lynx, Rockets and Blizzard), the Impact has a lifetime record of 26-12-4 against its Ontario rivals.

• The Impact has not lost in its last nine games against the Lynx (7-0-2) and is leading 14-3 in goals since the beginning of this stretch.

• The last time the Impact was defeated by the Lynx dates back to July 16, 2003 — a 3-2 loss at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.

• This is the third of four match-ups between the two teams this year. They will square off again in Montreal on September 8.

THE OPPONENT

• The Toronto Lynx are 12th and last in USL D1 standings with 21 points.

• The Lynx have tied the second-place Rochester Raging Rhinos 1-1 in their last two games.

• Toronto has a winning record at home (4-3-3).

• Toronto is last in the league in terms of offensive output with only 21 goals scored in 23 games.

• Last year, the Ontario team ended the season last in the standings (3-17-8).

PRE-GAMES COMMENTS
HEAD COACH NICK DE SANTIS
“We will have to play this game with a good mentality, knowing that this is a team that is currently playing very well, with a winning record in its last 12 games. Even if their playoff hopes are slim, there is always a rivalry between both teams which motivates them. They played well against Rochester and they are able to beat any team. On our side, we want to start our three-game stretch this week with a win but it will be tough on their small field.”

DEFENDER GABRIEL GERVAIS
“It’s a team that is tougher to beat than in the beginning of the season because they have nothing to lose. They are very unpredictable and are willing to take chances. We still have a lot to win in the regular season so we can’t afford to lose three points tomorrow.”

DEFENDER ADAM BRAZ
“Toronto had very good results lately and they are playing with confidence. We will have to dictate the pace of the game because if we give them space and time to play, they can be dangerous. We will try to keep them on their heels from the beginning of the game.”

FACTS TO FOLLOW
• Impact captain Mauro Biello is only one point away from the 200-career points mark with the Impact (68G, 63A – 199 PTS). He is the club’s all-time leading scorer.

• Lars Lyssand’s next game will be his 50th career game with the Impact.

• The Impact is only 11 goals away from the 500th goal in its history.

OUT OF THE LINE-UP
Team – Player (Position) – Reason – Status
MTL – Nevio Pizzolitto (D) – Red card August 16 vs CHA – 1-game suspension
MTL – Antonio Ribeiro (M) – Groin injury – Will not play Wednesday
MTL - Patrick Leduc (M) - Ankle injury August 11 @ ROC – Could be back Wednesday
MTL - Gabriel Gervais (D) - Groin injury July 28 @ ATL – Should be back Wednesday
MTL - Jason Di Tullio (D) - Knee injury July 21 @ MIN - Out for the season

NEXT GAMES
Fri. August 25 - Virginia Beach @ Impact - CRSC – 8 pm (RDS, Sport Plus XM-172, CJAD 800)
Sun. August 27 – V. Beach @ Impact – Sherbrooke University – 4 pm (Sport Plus XM-172, CJAD 800)
Thur. August 31 – Impact @ Portland – PGE Park – 10 pm
Fri. Sept. 8 - Toronto @ Impact - CRSC – 7:30 pm (CJAD 800, Sport Plus XM-172)
(end of regular season)

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Source: Patrick Vallιe, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27

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