The Montreal Impact ended a sequence of seven undefeated matches (5-0-2). With 43 points, the Montreal team ends the season fifth in the USL First Division standings, one point ahead of the Rochester Rhinos, which tied the Charleston Battery 0-0 at home tonight.
RailHawks midfielder Daniel Paladini scored the winning goal on a penalty at the 59th minute. Paladini unleashed a low shot that was well placed to the right of goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who dove on the opposite side. On the previous sequence, defender Stefano Pesoli was ejected from the match for having tackled forward Andriy Budnyy inside the box. The Montreal Impact therefore played the last thirty minutes short of one player on the field.
RailHawks midfielder Brian Plotkin scored the insurance goal in the 90th minute of play by completing an action from forward Matthew Delicate on the right flank.
“We played a good first half, but the first fifteen minutes of the second half were more difficult for us and the RailHawks took advantage of that,” declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “Globally, the match was well balanced. After the first goal, we played with a good attitude to earn a draw, but the second goal was scored from a counterattack.”
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan was kept busy, having made seven saves out of ten shots in his direction.
Forward Eduardo Sebrango started the match tonight after missing the last game due to a fracture of a right hand bone. Midfielder Patrick Leduc was also on the starting lineup for the first time this season.
“We lacked finishing in our actions tonight,” noted Leduc. “We had control over the match but they surprised us on the first goal while the defense was too high. Despite the emotion from the last match against the RailHawks, the game was clean. The large field here favours ball possession and less physical contacts.”
Midfielder David Testo was not available due to a light groin injury, while defender Nevio Pizzolitto (8 cautions) and forward Peter Byers (red card) were both suspended by the league.
Defender Stefano Pesoli will miss the first playoff match after receiving an automatic one-game suspension for the red card he was issued at the 57th minute.
Forward Roberto Brown has earned for a second consecutive season the club’s points leader title with seven goals (five game winners) and three assists, for 17 points.
The Montreal Impact will play its first playoff match Thursday, September 24 at Saputo Stadium, at 7:30 pm. Even if the standings are not final yet, two potential opponents in the quarterfinal round are the Puerto Rico Islanders and the Charleston Battery.
Tickets for the upcoming playoffs are available through Admission (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com), at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office or at 514-328-3668 (group packages only).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
36th minute – On a long cross from the right flank by RailHawks defender Mark Schulte, forward Andriy Budnyy deflected the ball with a header from the six-yard area, but Matt Jordan was well positioned to make the save.
56th minute – After accepting a deep pass from John Cunliffe, Andriy Budnyy fired a low shot from the entrance of the box, but Matt Jordan made the save with his feet.
71st minute – After recovering a ball outside the penalty box, midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo fired a powerful shot that went just to right of the RailHawks goal.
81st minute – Midfielder Félix Brillant intercepted a pass from the RailHawks inside the box, then Roberto Brown took a low shot that the RailHawks goalkeeper stopped by diving to the ground.
87th minute – Midfielder Ciaran O’Brien fired a high 25-meter shot that went just to the left of the goal.
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ IN CARY
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext 227)
