Colorado Rapids – Montreal Impact
Saturday, May 26, 2012, 9pm (ET)
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colorado
Broadcast: TVA Sports
Also available on: illico Mobile, illico Web, MLS Live
Viewing party at Ciociaro Sports Bar
Matchday page
COMMERCE CITY, Colorado – The Montreal Impact (3-6-3) takes on the Colorado Rapids (5-6-1) this Saturday at 9pm (ET), at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, in Commerce City, in its final game before a three-week break from regular season action. The game will be broadcast live on TVA Sports and will be available on illico Mobile, illico Web and MLS Live.
News and Quotes
The Impact is now tied for 8th in the Eastern Conference. The team is coming off a 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls last Saturday at Olympic Stadium. It was the team’s first loss in five home games. However, the Impact is undefeated in its last two road games. In its last game away from home, the team shut out Sporting Kansas City 2-0 on May 5.
PREVIEW: COL-MTL
In their last game, the Rapids tied Kansas City 2-2 last Saturday and have lost only once in five home games this season. The Rapids are in fifth place in the Western Conference.
“Colorado is a tough place to play,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “We have to be organized and disciplined in order to give us the best chance to get a result and give us momentum going into the break that we can carry over for our first game at Stade Saputo.”
This will be the first ever meeting between the two clubs. Impact midfielder Sanna Nyassi could play against his former team for the first time. The Gambian international played 26 games, including 16 starts, with the Rapids in 2011, registering five goals and five assists.
Defender Jeb Brovsky was born and raised in Lakewood, Colorado, while midfielder Collen Warner was born and raised in Denver. He was a member of the Colorado ODP State Team from 2001 to 2004 and played for the Colorado Rush for five years.
“I’m excited to go back to Denver,” said Warner. “I know firsthand how the altitude will be a factor in the game. We have to be ready for it, know what’s coming and keep playing our game. We have to make sure we aren’t too spread out.”
Defender Zarek Valentin and midfielder Justin Mapp did not travel to Colorado due to calf injuries. Defender Josh Gardner is also on the injury list due to a left hamstring tendinitis
18-man roster in Colorado
Goalkeepers: Donovan Ricketts, Greg Sutton
Defenders: Nelson Rivas, Matteo Ferrari, Shavar Thomas, Tyson Wahl, Hassoun Camara, Jeb Brovsky
Midfielders: Felipe, Patrice Bernier, Collen Warner, Davy Arnaud, Lamar Neagle, Sinisa Ubiparipovic
Forwards: Sanna Nyassi, Bernardo Corradi, Andrew Wenger, Miguel Montaño
Upcoming match
Following this game, the Impact will get a three-week break from regular season action before reopening Stade Saputo on June 16 at 7:30pm against the Seattle Sounders FC. New 12-game season ticket packages for all matches at Stade Saputo are available via impactmontreal.com, or by calling 514-328-3668.
Defender Gienir Garcia on waivers
The Montreal Impact announced on Friday that defender Gienir Garcia has been placed on MLS waivers. Garcia, 22, was acquired from the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, on January 17, 2012. Garcia did not dress for an MLS regular season game with the Impact but did see action in Reserve League games. The 6’0’’ defender had played 10 games with Cruz Azul Hidalgo in the Mexican second division over the past two years.
Impact U21 hits the road
The Montreal Impact U21 team will play its third and fourth games of the season this weekend, against SC Toronto Friday at 8pm, at Lamport Stadium, and Saturday against the Mississauga Eagles FC at 7pm.
This two-game road trip will be the first matchups on the road. The Impact is undefeated so far this season. The U21s tied the York Region Shooters 1-1 in its home opener on May 13, and then delivered a dominating performance in an 8-1 victory over the St. Catharines Roma Wolves last Sunday.
Game Notes
- Midfielder Davy Arnaud is leading the league with 30 fouls suffered.
- Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is currently tied for second amongst MLS goalkeepers with 59 shots against
- Midfielder Felipe is second in MLS with 29 fouls committed.
- Forward Sanna Nyassi is only one yellow away (four total) from a one-game suspension.
- The Impact is currently tied for second among MLS teams with 162 fouls committed.
- The Rapids have scored 15 of their 17 goals this season in the second half.
