Thunder’s defender Brian Farber had opened the score in the 12th minute of play but Impact midfielder Patrick Leduc, who was playing another game as defender, scored the tying goal in the 71st minute, on a penalty.
“Before making the penalty kick, the other players were looking at me because I was one of the players with the most experience on the field, so I decided to take it,” said Leduc. “The goalkeeper was moving a bit but I decided to take it on the right side and it worked. Under the circumstances, it’s a positive tie because we came back in the game despite a bad start. Once again, after their goal, we lost our calm for a long moment. Hopefully, we played well in the second half.”
“We wanted to win tonight but we did not start the game with a lot of energy,” said head coach Nick De Santis. “Nonetheless, the changes we made were positive and it changed the rhythm of the game. We played almost all the second half in their midfield. This tie is positive in a way because we rank in the top team standings. We will have two weeks to analyze the situation and take decisions regarding our line-up.”
With the tie, the Impact is back in second place in the USL First Division standings with 28 points, tied with the Seattle Sounders, two points behind the Portland Timbers.
Goalkeeper Andrew Weber (2-2-3), who was playing his third straight game, faced seven shots.
The Impact had to play again 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).
The Impact will now be off two weeks before facing the Carolina RailHawks on Wednesday, August 1st, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, at 7 pm (CJAD 800, USLlive.com).
GOALS
12th minute – Defender Brian Farber deflected with a header the corner kick from forward Aaron Paye, beating Impact goalkeeper Andrew Weber in the top part of the net.
71st minute – After a tackle by defender Kevin Taylor on Impact defender Simon Gatti, in the Thunder’s 18-yard box, Patrick Leduc scored on a penalty kick, beating Nicolas Platter to his left, even if he dove on the same side.
HIGHLIGHTS
30th minute – On a corner kick, defender Kevin Taylor fired a strong shot that Brian Farber recuperated, but on both occasions, Impact players saved the ball on the goal line.
36th minute – Impact midfielder Antonio Ribeiro made a low 30-yard shot, that passed just right of the Thunder’s net.
45th minute – Midfielder Martin Fabro made a strong low shot from outside the box, but Thunder goalkeeper Nicolas Platter dove to make the save.
64th minute –On a rush on the right wing, Impact forward Alen Marcina, who replaced captain Mauro Biello in the 55th minute, cut near the center of the field before firing a strong 20-yard shot that Platter stopped by diving to the ground.
80th minute – Aaron Paye attempted a low center on the near post, but Weber made a save with a dive to his right.
INJURED PLAYERS
Player – Position – Injury – Status - Games missed
David Fronimadis – Defender – Knee – Day to day - 2
Matt Jordan – Goalkeeper – Jaw – 6 to 8 weeks - 3
Gabriel Gervais – Defender – Groin – Day to day - 8
Nevio Pizzolitto - Defender - Knee – Could return August 1st - 18
Jason DiTullio – Defender - Knee - Return unknown - 18
NEXT GAME
Date – Teams – Stadium - Time
• Wednesday, August 1 – Carolina @ Impact – Claude-Robillard Sports Complex – 7 pm (CJAD 800, USLlive.com)
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 Ext. 27
