SUMMARY
The Impact also tied a club record for the longest undefeated streak of 12 games (8-0-4) established last season.
With the win, the Impact climbed to within one point of the first place Kickers in the United Soccer League’s First Division standings, with 28 points. The Impact, however, has four games in hand.
In the 6th minute, captain Mauro Biello scored his first goal of the season and of the game. Biello received a short through ball from midfielder Zé Roberto that split the Richmond defense. The Impact captain beat the Kickers goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale with a solid shot to his left. It was Biello’s first goal since September 10, 2004.
Five minutes later, Impact forward Darko Kolic, starting his first game since August 28, 2004, nearly doubled the Impact’s lead.
Well-positioned on the left side of the box, Kolic’s shot was partially blocked by Pascale and then deflected off the crossbar.
Biello doubled the Impact’s lead in the 63rd minute. Served once again by a Roberto pass, Biello swerved by the defender down the left flank, and beat Pascale with a soaring, left-footed strike.
NOTES
It was goalkeeper Andrew Olivieri’s first shutout of the season in three starts.
Impact players Greg Sutton, Adam Braz, Gabriel Gervais, Sandro Grande, Patrick Leduc and Ali Gerba were unavailable. They are presently with the Canadian national team preparing for Costa Rica tomorrow in the first round of the Gold Cup tournament being held in the United States. Ali Gerba, who scored two goals against the Seattle Sounders Sunday, rejoined the national team Monday.
The Impact will play its next game in Minnesota, on Friday, July 15 against the Thunder at James Griffin Stadium (8 pm RDS, FOX). Montreal will then play a two-game series against the Toronto Lynx, Friday, July 22 in Toronto (7:30 pm), and Sunday, July 24 at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex (4 pm, CJAD, CKAC).
POST-GAME COMMENTS
Nick De Santis
Mauro Biello
IMPACT LINE-UP
Andrew Olivieri, Nevio Pizzolitto, Adrian Cann, Lars Lyssand, Mauricio Vincello, Jason Di Tullio (David Fronimadis 76), Mesut Mert (Masahiro Fukasawa 61), Zé Roberto, Antonio Ribeiro (Mike Kolinski 86), Darko Kolic (Docco Wesseh 72), Mauro Biello
RICHMOND LINE-UP
Ronnie Pascale, Chris Fox, Tony Williams, Kevin Knight, Pete Luzak, Richie Williams, Tim Brown, Sascha Görres (Kevin Jeffrey 61), Chris Carrieri (Mike Burke 45), Matthew Delicate, Robert, Ssejjemba (McColm Cephas 61)
GOALS
MTL : Mauro Biello (Roberto) 6
MTL : Mauro Biello (Roberto) 63
SHOTS RIC 10 MTL 15
SAVES RIC 7 MTL 6
FOULS RIC 12 MTL 18
OFFSIDES RIC 0 MTL 6
CORNERS RIC 3 MTL 4
CAUTIONS
RIC: Robert Ssejjemba 21
RIC: McColm Cephas 70
RIC: Richie Williams 81
MTL: Adrian Cann 87
REFEREES
Rob Antle, Daniel Belleau, Carolanne Chénard, Guy Verna
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Source: Patrick Vallée
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
