Montreal Impact – Houston Dynamo
Saturday, June 23, 2012, 7:30pm (ET)
Stade Saputo
Broadcast: TVA Sports, CJAD 800
Also available on: illico web, illico Mobile, MLS Live
MONTREAL, Quebec – The Montreal Impact (4-8-3) will play its second home game at Stade Saputo, Saturday, versus the Houston Dynamo (5-4-5).
Good tickets are still available for the game via impactmontreal.com, or by calling 514-328-3668.
Preview: MTL - HOU
News and Quotes
The Impact will play the third game in a series of five in 15 days in the month of June and the first ever against Houston in regular season play. The two teams met twice during preseason. The Impact lost the first game 2-0 on February 8, at the Home Depot Center, in Los Angeles, before tying 1-1 against the Dynamo on March 29 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, in Orlando, Florida.
The Impact is coming off of a 2-1 loss to Chivas USA Wednesday night in Los Angeles. Brazilian midfielder Felipe got the only marker for Montreal, his second in as many games and third point in three consecutive matches.
A few days earlier, the Impact opened the newly expanded Stade Saputo with a convincing 4-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders FC, and has an overall home record of 3-1-2. The Dynamo is 2-4-3 on the road.
“Houston is probably the best team in the league on set pieces,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “They give really good service, and they have big guys who are good with their head. We have to be ready to deal with that the right way.”
“They know what it takes to be successful in MLS,” said Impact captain Davy Arnaud. “They have a lot of guys who have been around a long time. Every time out you know they are going to come out and compete. If you are not ready to do the same, you won’t win the game.”
“We are very close to Houston in the standings,” said defender Shavar Thomas. “We want to make sure that we get the points at home and make it difficult for other teams to come in here.”
The matchup will feature the return of forward Brian Ching. Originally selected by the Impact in the 2011 Expansion Draft, the Hawaiian native made it clear he wanted to return to Houston. The Impact gave him his wish in the preseason, sending him back to Houston for a conditional draft pick. The former U.S. international has scored 97 goals in over 200 games in MLS, but has scored only once in 13 games this season.
The Impact’s offense will also face Dynamo defender Andre Hainault who hails from Quebec and is a stalwart in Houston's backline. Hainault got his professional start in 2004-2005 with the Impact.
Ching’s attacking partner, Will Bruin, is having a breakout season with eight goals in 14 games played for the Dynamo, including two in Houston's 3-3 comeback draw on Wednesday night versus Toronto FC at the BBVA Compass Stadium, in Houston. The second-year forward has the fourth most goals in the league, behind Chris Wondolowski (12), Kenny Cooper (11) and Thierry Henry (9).
Bruin, Ching and Hainault should be starting versus the Impact on Saturday.
Corradi, Ferrari and Wenger injured
The Impact announced on Friday that forward Bernardo Corradi will be out of action for a period of up to six months due to a torn ACL (left knee). Forward Andrew Wenger joined Corradi and defender Matteo Ferrari on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during the last game.
Upcoming games
The Impact will play its next game Wednesday at Stade Saputo, against its Canadian rivals Toronto FC, at 7:30pm (ET). New season ticket packages for all matches at Stade Saputo, as well as mini-season packages, are available via impactmontreal.com, or by calling 514-328-3668.
The club will then hit the road to face D.C. United at RFK Stadium, on Saturday, June 30, at 7:30pm (ET).
The Impact U21 team plays the Serbian White Eagles on the road tonight, at Centennial Stadium, before facing Toronto Croatia, Saturday at 8pm, also at Centennial Stadium.
Game Notes
- The Impact has scored the opening goal of the game in 11 of its 15 games so far this season.
- Midfielder Davy Arnaud was born and raised in Nederland, Texas. He played his college soccer at West Texas A&M, where he became the first player in school history to be named an All-American, after tallying 13 goals and three assists in his junior season. He was inducted into the West Texas A&M Hall of Fame in 2008.
- Defender Josh Gardner was born in Brazosport, Texas. During his youth, he played eight years with the Hurricanes Soccer Club, in Houston.
- Forward Justin Braun has scored three career goals against Houston.
- Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is currently fourth amongst MLS goalkeepers with 72 shots against and tied for sixth with 45 saves.
- Midfielder Patrice Bernier is tied for ninth in MLS with four assists.
- Midfielder Davy Arnaud is second in the league with 41 fouls suffered.
- Midfielder Felipe is tied for second in MLS with 33 fouls committed.
- The Montreal Impact is currently first among MLS teams with 214 fouls committed and third with 205 shots.
- INJURY REPORT: OUT - D Matteo Ferrari (Right quad strain), F Bernardo Corradi (Left knee torn ACL), Andrew Wenger (Left hamstring strain), Evan James (Left ankle sprain)
