NCC 2009 Preview: Vancouver Hosts Montreal

THE IMPACT FACES THE WHITECAPS WEDNESDAY IN VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER – The Montreal Impact (0-2-0) faces the Vancouver Whitecaps (1-1-0), in its third game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, Wednesday, at Swangard Stadium (Live at 10:30 pm: Sportsnet; tape delayed at 11 pm: Radio-Canada).

The Impact needs a win in order to stay in the race to earn a second consecutive championship.

“We have a mature team. We may have lost the last game, but we know why,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We are confident about getting a positive result if we play well during the full 90 minutes. We need to keep believing. With a win Wednesday we can continue dreaming about the title for at least one more week.”

In the last game between both teams, May 20 at Saputo Stadium, the Impact was shut out 2-0. Forwards Marcus Haber (1st minute) and Charles Gbeke (17th minute) had both scored in the first half.

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WHITECAPS PREPARE FOR MONTREAL IMPACT RE-MATCH
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC men (1W-1L-0D) look to claim a second victory in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship when they host Montreal Impact (0W-2L-0D) on Wednesday evening.

Teitur Thordarson’s side put themselves back in the hunt for the Voyageurs Cup title, as early goals by Marcus Haber and Charles Gbeke gave the Whitecaps an important 2-0 victory over Montreal at Stade Saputo last Wednesday. The win put Vancouver into sole possession of second place in the three-club competition – three points back of leaders Toronto FC. It was also the club’s first victory in four tries at Montreal’s soccer-specific stadium.

The result in Quebec sets up an equally vital encounter between the two USL First Division outfits this week. While the ‘Caps have the chance to draw level on points with TFC with a win, the Impact must repeat their efforts of last season and win at Swangard, if they are to have any chance of defending their Canadian title and returning to the CONCACAF Champions League. While Montreal lost three USL-1 regular season and playoff encounters at Swangard last season, their 2-0 away win over the Whitecaps on June 25 was crucial to the Impact’s success in the inaugural championship last year.

Wednesday’s clash will be the 42nd meeting between the two clubs, with the Impact still leading the all-time series of results with 23 wins, 12 defeats, and six draws. This includes Montreal’s all-time record of 13 wins, seven defeats, and one draw versus the Whitecaps at Swangard.

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