The game was played in front of 9,752 spectators at Claude Robillard Stadium, the second largest attendance in club history. The team record of 9,894 fans was established the week before, on July 14.
The Impact had a 17-5 edge in shots on net. Fred Commodore and Zé Roberto had three shots apiece.
"We came out with a lot of determination and confidence, and we dominated. But we need to finish off these types of games in the first half," said Impact head coach Nick DeSantis, alluding to his team’s numerous scoring chances.
Sebrango scored the opening goal at the 23rd minute of play. From the middle of the field, Sandro Grande sent a long ball in front of Sebrango, who was making a run on the left side. The Impact striker caught up to the ball and placed it inside the far post.
Sebrango allowed Montreal to double its lead at the 44th minute. After carrying the ball deep into the Calgary zone on the left wing, he made a low, hard cross that Roberto deflected behind goalkeeper Lutz Pfannenstiel. It was Roberto’s first goal this season.
Sebrango who tore his ACL last year, has therefore scored for the third time in his last three games and the fifth time this season.
"They told me it would take time to come back from an injury like this," said Sebrango, who had to leave the game at the 60th minute after suffering a cut just above the eye. "You just need to keep working. I feel that my game is improving, and I’m feeling more confident."
Goalkeeper Andrew Olivieri picked up the shutout in his first career start in the A-League. The 23-year-old Montrealer made his biggest save at the 50th minute, when he blocked a close-range header by Walter Otta by diving to his right, and then turned around to pick up the loose ball near the goal line.
"The whole team played well defensively," said Olivieri. "I can’t give enough credit to the back line, they did a really good job. In games like these, you have stay focused because you never know when a ball will come through."
The Impact has joined the Rochester Rhinos on top of the Eastern Conference standings, two points ahead of the Atlanta Silverbacks. Montreal will face the Silverbacks in Atlanta this Saturday at 6:00 pm.
Before the game, the Impact announced that Chris Lemire, who started the 2004 season with the Edmonton Aviators, was back with the Montreal team. The A-League announced on Wednesday that Edmonton would finish the season under league control. The club, which will host the Milwaukee Wave United on Thursday, will now be called the Edmonton FC.
-30-
SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
