Impact big win en route to Vancouver

Impact Montréal is riding a wave of confidence as it arrives in Vancouver for the return leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship semi-final leg against Whitecaps FC. The Impact is coming off an impressive 5:0 victory in league action over FC Edmonton on Sunday night. The Impact now hopes it can continue that scoring trend to reverse a one-goal deficit in the championship playoff series.



The Nutrilite Canadian Championship semi-final stage continues this Wednesday 4 May in Vancouver and Toronto. Vancouver Whitecaps FC host the Impact for a 20.00 PT local kickoff at Empire Field (23.00 ET / 20.00 PT). The winner of the two-leg semi-final will advance to the championship final to face either Toronto FC or FC Edmonton (who also play on Wednesday 4 May).



In the opening leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, the Impact lost 0:1 to visiting Vancouver at Stade Saputo on 27 April. That gives Vancouver the one-goal lead in the series, albeit a slim lead should Montréal score like it did on Sunday 1 May against FC Edmonton.



This past weekend, Impact Montréal was the only Canadian team to pick up a win in league action. Both Montréal and Edmonton play in the North American Soccer League while Vancouver and Toronto play in Major League Soccer. Montréal’s Sunday night goal scorers were Ali Gerba (two), Anthony Le Gall, Nevio Pizzolitto (on a penalty kick) and Idriss Ech Chergui.



Said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos after the win, “we needed a win and all the players answered well. The conditions were not easy, but we were able to adapt quickly. It’s important win morally before Wednesday’s highly anticipated match against Vancouver.”



The 2011 Nutrilite Canadian Championship runs this 27 April to 25 May in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto and Montréal. Winners of the semi-final legs advance to the championship series, with home-and-away legs played on 18 and 25 May. The winner of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship claims the Voyageurs Cup and qualifies for 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League.