Impact hosts Toronto Wednesday.
Publié : 15 juillet 2003 14:23
IMPACT HOSTS TORONTO WEDNESDAY
Montreal has scored eight goals in its last three games
MONTREAL — The Montreal Impact has scored eight goals in its last three games and head coach Bob Lilley would like to see his players keep the same pace, Wednesday, when the Toronto Lynx will be the visiting team at Claude Robillard Stadium (7:30 pm, live on CJAD, CKAC).
"We have been a bit more consistent with our finishing in recent games," said Lilley. "I also believe we have potential to score even more often. The players are working hard at both ends, but scoring goals is something we expect to be good at."
The Impact’s reputation defensively has been well established since last season, when Montreal finished fourth in the A-League in terms of goals allowed — 29 in 28 games. This year, Lilley’s defenders have been the stingiest in the league, with 12 goals allowed in 17 games. Only the Seattle Sounders have done as well.
However, the Impact is now fifth in the A-League in goals scored, with 27, tied with the Minnesota Thunder and the Sounders.
"We’ve basically been playing the same way," said striker Eduardo Sebrango, the Impact’s leading scorer with 13 points, tied with Mauro Biello. "We work hard for our chances, we try to push forward, and lately a lot of guys have been contributing."
While last year, Sebrango scored 18 of Montreal’s 39 goals, in 2003 goal production has been shared by several players. Forwards Biello and Sebrango have five goals apiece, midfielders Zé Roberto and Martin Nash have four and two, respectively, while reserve players Sita-Taty Matondo and Mark Rowland have two each. Even the defenders have contributed: Abraham François has two goals and one assist while Gabriel Gervais, Nevio Pizzolitto and David Fronimadis have each scored once.
"If you want to go a long way in the playoffs, goals have to come from everybody. That is what’s been happening and it’s great for the team," said Sebrango. "Last year, a lot of guys worked hard to get the goals they deserved, and it didn’t always happen, but this year they’ve been scoring and that’s fine with me."
"I like the fact that we’ve been getting more balanced scoring," said Lilley. "If we’ve learned anything about this group, it’s that we function best as a team. Different players have stepped up at key moments and we hope that continues."
The Lynx are last in the Northeast Division, 15 points behind the first-place Impact. The Toronto players have a 6-9-3 record and have only scored 15 goals, one of the lowest totals in the league, but Lilley refuses to see any reason to take his opponents lightly.
"The statistics are irrelevant because in games between these two teams, the rivalry is always up front," said Lilley. "We split the last two games against them, and both match-ups ended in a 1-0 score. We will have to play well to get a result."
from the Montreal Impact
Montreal has scored eight goals in its last three games
MONTREAL — The Montreal Impact has scored eight goals in its last three games and head coach Bob Lilley would like to see his players keep the same pace, Wednesday, when the Toronto Lynx will be the visiting team at Claude Robillard Stadium (7:30 pm, live on CJAD, CKAC).
"We have been a bit more consistent with our finishing in recent games," said Lilley. "I also believe we have potential to score even more often. The players are working hard at both ends, but scoring goals is something we expect to be good at."
The Impact’s reputation defensively has been well established since last season, when Montreal finished fourth in the A-League in terms of goals allowed — 29 in 28 games. This year, Lilley’s defenders have been the stingiest in the league, with 12 goals allowed in 17 games. Only the Seattle Sounders have done as well.
However, the Impact is now fifth in the A-League in goals scored, with 27, tied with the Minnesota Thunder and the Sounders.
"We’ve basically been playing the same way," said striker Eduardo Sebrango, the Impact’s leading scorer with 13 points, tied with Mauro Biello. "We work hard for our chances, we try to push forward, and lately a lot of guys have been contributing."
While last year, Sebrango scored 18 of Montreal’s 39 goals, in 2003 goal production has been shared by several players. Forwards Biello and Sebrango have five goals apiece, midfielders Zé Roberto and Martin Nash have four and two, respectively, while reserve players Sita-Taty Matondo and Mark Rowland have two each. Even the defenders have contributed: Abraham François has two goals and one assist while Gabriel Gervais, Nevio Pizzolitto and David Fronimadis have each scored once.
"If you want to go a long way in the playoffs, goals have to come from everybody. That is what’s been happening and it’s great for the team," said Sebrango. "Last year, a lot of guys worked hard to get the goals they deserved, and it didn’t always happen, but this year they’ve been scoring and that’s fine with me."
"I like the fact that we’ve been getting more balanced scoring," said Lilley. "If we’ve learned anything about this group, it’s that we function best as a team. Different players have stepped up at key moments and we hope that continues."
The Lynx are last in the Northeast Division, 15 points behind the first-place Impact. The Toronto players have a 6-9-3 record and have only scored 15 goals, one of the lowest totals in the league, but Lilley refuses to see any reason to take his opponents lightly.
"The statistics are irrelevant because in games between these two teams, the rivalry is always up front," said Lilley. "We split the last two games against them, and both match-ups ended in a 1-0 score. We will have to play well to get a result."
from the Montreal Impact