This is the second straight year and the fifth time in club history that the Impact finishes on top of its conference.
The game was played in front of 10,122 spectators at Claude Robillard Sports Complex, the second largest attendance in club history. The record of 11,019 fans was set last August 6.
"It’s great to finish first, it was one of our goals. And it was good to be able to do it in front of our fans, who’ve been supporting us all year," said Eduardo Sebrango, who led his team to victory with a performance of one goal and one assist.
Sebrango set up Zé Roberto’s goal at the 21st minute of play, then found the back of the net at the 22nd minute. The striker, who scored 18 goals in 2002, a club record, therefore moved up in first place among Impact scorers, ahead of Fred Commodore.
Sebrango took advantage of a cross by Chris Williams from the right wing to flick the ball over on a header to Zé Roberto, who completed the play at the far post. A minute later, Sebrango picked up the ball following a turnover on the Edmonton defensive line, broke towards Nick Stankov and placed the ball under the visiting team’s goalkeeper.
"When I stole the ball, I was looking for Antonio (Ribeiro), but the defender was cutting off the pass, so I decided to go in alone," said Sebrango.
"It’s a good win, so I’m happy about that, but I’m a bit disappointed about the second half," said head coach Nick DeSantis, who saw his team come up with a 14-6 edge in shots, but only 5-2 in the second half. "In a game like this, players have to go forward, create more chances and score. But don’t get me wrong, we can be proud about finishing first."
The Impact, which extended its undefeated streak to eight games (7-0-1), also collected its eighth straight shutout, to extend the club record. Back-up goalkeeper Andrew Olivieri collected his third shutout in as many starts this season. It was the Impact’s 19th shutout in 26 games, which improves on the A-League record.
The victory also allowed the Impact to win the Voyageurs Cup, awarded to the top Canadian team in the A-League, for the third straight year.
Midfielder Patrick Leduc, for his part, played his 100th career game with the Impact when he came into the game as a sub at the 55th minute.
The Montreal players will face the Rhinos in Rochester, this Friday evening at Frontier Field (7:35 pm, CKAC), before coming back to Claude Robillard Sports Complex to meet the Richmond Kickers, Sunday afternoon (4:00 pm, RDS, CJAD, CKAC). That will be the last game before the playoffs, with the Impact’s first post-season home game, against an opponent yet to be determined, set for Sunday, September 5 (7:00 pm).
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SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
