USL News Release

Thursday, May 29, 2008

TAMPA, FL – The newly-opened Stade Saputo in Montreal will make its Fox Soccer Channel debut Friday night when the Impact play host to the Portland Timbers in a meeting of two sides looking to reverse their fortunes from a combined nine-game winless run.

Portland’s worst-to-second turnaround last year left the Impact in third place, the first time since 2002 that Montreal had not finished in the top two. The Timbers looked to be headed for another top finish when they opened the season with three wins at home, but since the calendar turned to May Portland has been unable to find victory with four straight draws followed by two losses at home.

Montreal, on the other hand, split their first four games on the road, but have been shutout since with a mark of 0-2-1. The club is also coming off a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to MLS Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship tournament in which they saw the visitors get the winner late as the Impact played a man down. New striker Rocco Placentino, however, impressed during the match and could prove to be a factor Friday night.

The two clubs played a pair of tight matches last season with the Timbers earning a 1-0 victory in Montreal on an Andrew Gregor penalty June 8 followed by a 1-1 draw two weeks later in which back-to-back goals in the last five minutes left them at a stalemate. Neil Dombrowksi gave Portland the lead in the 85th only to see Alen Marcina level a minute later.

The Timbers hold the advantage in the all-time series between the two clubs with a record of 3-2-2 and have not lost in Montreal (2-0-1).

The broadcast begins on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports World Canada at 8:00 pm ET.

Next USL on FSC Match: The Puerto Rico Islanders visit the Atlanta Silverbacks on Friday, June 6 at Silverbacks Park. The game is at 8:00 pm ET on Fox Soccer Channel.