"We are collecting another point on the road and a eighth on a possibility of 12 so it's satisfying," said Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis. "But it's unfortunate that we were unable to get the three points because we had great opportunities to score a second goal and settle the outcome of the game."
The Impact was the first to score in the 43rd minute. On the play, team captain Mauro Biello centered the ball to midfielder Frederico Moojen, who first redirected the ball with a header right on the crossbar, before pushing the ball in the net while he was down on the field, near the goal line.
It was Moojen's first career goal with the Impact while Biello, with the assist on the play, reached the 200th point-mark with the Impact (68G, 64A - 200 PTS). The Impact captain, who is playing his 15th season in the USL, is the club's all-time leading scorer.
"I'm pleased to have scored my first goal tonight but I would have preferred to do it in win," said Moojen, who also scored the 500th goal in Impact history. "The game was physical and tough due to the hot and humid weather but I think we should have won tonight."
The Islanders (1-1-3) tied the game in the second half when forward Alberto Zapata (77th), posted in front of the net, deflected a centering pass from midfielder Victor Manuel Herrera with the head, beating Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan to his left.
Jordan, who started a fourth straight game, remains undefeated this season (2-0-2).
The Impact still remains undefeated in 10 games against the Islanders (7-0-3, 14GF-4GA), which is playing the fourth season of its history. The two teams will match-up again in Montreal on June 29.
The Impact will play its 14th home opener at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, Sunday, May 20, against the Seattle Sounders.
HIGHLIGHTS
20th minute - After accepting a pass from defender Simon Gatti, midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo took a shot from 30 yards, but Islanders goalkeeper Josh Saunders dove to his left to make the save.
32nd minute - Midfielder Patrick Leduc took a 25-yard free kick in direction of defender Gabriel Gervais, who deflected the ball just at the left of the goal.
45th minute - The Islanders had their first scoring chance in the first half's stoppage time when forward Alberto Delgado took a hard low shot from 25 yards but Impact goalkeeper made a diving save, to his right.
56th minute - On a through pass from forward Charles Gbeke, midfielder Matthew Palleschi went in alone on a breakaway but his shot to the far post was deflected wide by Saunders with the tip of his fingers.
MISSING FROM THE LINE-UP
Player Position Injury Status Games missed in 2007
Massimo Di Ioia Forward --- Did not make the trip to Puerto Rico 3
Hicham Aaboubou Defender --- Did not make the trip to Puerto Rico 3
Paul Moran Defender --- Did not make the trip to Puerto Rico 4
Martin Fabro Midfielder Ankle Day to day 1
Nevio Pizzolitto Defender Knee Return unknown 4
Jason DiTullio Defender Knee Return unknown 4
Shaun Tsakiris Midfielder Groin Return unknown 4
NEXT GAME
Date – Teams – Stadium - Time
• Sunday, May 20 - Seattle @ Impact - Claude-Robillard Sports Complex - 4:00 pm (Radio-Canada, Sirius, CJAD 800, USLlive.com)
GAME SUMMARY
www.impactmontreal.com/Tracker/Tracker.aspx?GameID=43language=EN
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 Ext. 27
