Forward Darren Spicer (31st minute), defender Kevin Taylor (45th) and forward Aaron Paye (80th), on a penalty, scored the three goals for the Thunder.
It was the Impact’s loss by the biggest margin this season and it was also the first time the Impact allowed three goals in a single game, since May 13, 2006, in a 3-1 loss in Charleston.
However, the Impact still remains only one point away from first place in the USL First Division standings, behind the Seattle Sounders wo were idle this weekend. Montreal is in second place with 27 points, tied with Rochester, Vancouver and Portland.
"It’s always disappointing to lose this way, said Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis who was back on the bench after serving a two-game suspension. We made mistakes in the first half that cost us dearly. I don’t know if it’s a lack of concentration or fatigue, but it got us into trouble. When the score was 2-0, we tried everything by adding forwards in the line-up. It’s too bad because we had players in the line-up tonight who had not played Friday.”
"I think we played well the first 30 minutes but the first goal we allowed change the flow of the game, noted Patrick Leduc, who started another match as a defender. Fatigue is always a greater factor when you are coming from behind. Thankfully, we’ll have a chance for a re-match this Wednesday when we play them again.”
Goalkeeper Andrew Weber, who was in the nets for a second straight game, lost his second game of the season.
Even if defender Mauricio Vincello was back in the starting eleven for Montreal, the Impact had to play once again compose with many regular players out of the line-up: Andres Arango (suspended), Gabriel Gervais (groin), Nevio Pizzolitto (knee), David Fronimadis (knee) and Matt Jordan (jaw).
Both teams will square off again for the second game of the doubleheader in Minnesota, on Wednesday, July 18, at 8:05 pm (USLlive.com).
GOALS
31st minute – Thunder forward Aaron Paye intercepted a pass at centerfield to send his teammate Darren Spicer deep, behind the Impact defence. Spicer went in alone on goalkeeper Andrew Weber and beat him with a high shot to his right.
45th minute – On a corner kick by Aaron Paye, Minnesota defender Kevin Taylor headed the ball straight into the upper part of the net, leaving no chance for goalkeeper Andrew Weber.
80th minute – After a foul from defender Hicham Aaboubou on Aaron Paye in the Thunder’s 18-yard box, the Minnesota forward scored on a penalty kick, beating Andrew Weber with a low shot to his left.
HIGHLIGHTS
25th minute – Impact midfielder Antonio Ribeiro took a high shot from 25 yards out but Minnesota goalkeeper Nicolas Platter punched the ball over the crossbar.
48th minute – On an Impact corner kick, Impact midfielder Zé Roberto deflected the ball just wide left of the goal.
INJURED PLAYERS
Player – Position – Injury – Status - Games missed
David Fronimadis – Defender – Knee – Two weeks - 1
Matt Jordan – Goalkeeper – Jaw – 6 to 8 weeks - 2
Gabriel Gervais – Defender – Groin – Day to day - 7
Nevio Pizzolitto - Defender - Knee – Could return August 1st - 17
Jason DiTullio – Defender - Knee - Return unknown - 17
NEXT GAMES
Date – Teams – Stadium - Time
• Wednesday, July 18 – Impact @ Minnesota – James Griffin Stadium – 8:05 pm (USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, August 1 – Carolina @ Impact – Claude-Robillard Sports Complex – 7 pm (CJAD 800, USLlive.com)
GAME SUMMARY
-30-
Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 Ext. 27
