Brown, who was starting a first game with the Impact this season, scored his first career goal with the team. On the play, Impact defender Seth Trembly centered the ball deep towards Joey Gjertsen who let the ball through for Robert Brown, alone on the left wing. Brown beat Victory goalkeeper Eric Reed on a breakaway with a low shot, to his left.
In the 59th minute, Impact defender Mauricio Vincello capitalized on a corner kick from midfielder Joey Gjertsen, beating the Victory goalkeeper to his left. It was Vincello’s second goal this season.
“We totally dominated the game,” said Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “We had many opportunities and the score could easily have been 4-0 at the end of the first half. In the second half, we played well defensively to protect our two-goal lead.”
“The Victory had nothing to lose tonight and they showed some bursts of energy at certain times,” said Impact defender Gabriel Gervais, who played his 150th game in the United Soccer Leagues First Division. “Once again, the key to our success was to score in the first half. After that, we played with the lead. I think we followed our game plan well, using long balls in open spaces.”
With the win, the Impact now has 38 points and is only three points behind the Portland Timbers who are currently in first place in USL D1 standings, with one more game to play. The Timbers played to a 2-2 tie against the Minnesota Thunder tonight.
The Impact is now undefeated in its last five games (3-0-2).
Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan registered his seventh shutout in 14 starts this season.
Impact defender Nevio Pizzolitto, who missed a large part of the season due to a knee injury, started his first game with the Impact this season. He was substituted in the 67th minute for Andres Arango.
The Impact will play its next game, Saturday, in Vancouver, against the Whitecaps, at 10 pm (USLlive.com).
HIGHLIGHTS
10th minute – After receiving a pass from Impact forward Roberto Brown, captain Mauro Biello took a point blank shot that sailed over the net.
14th minute – On a back pass, Impact midfielder Patrick Leduc took a low shot from 20 yards out, but Victory goalkeeper Eric Reed made the save, diving to his right.
21st minute – Posted alone in front of the net, Biello took a point blank shot that was partially blocked by goalkeeper Eric Reed, who deflected the ball over the net.
INJURED PLAYERS
Player – Position – Injury – Status - Games missed
Antonio Ribeiro Midfielder Groin Day to day 1
Jason DiTullio Defender Knee Return unknown 22
NEXT GAMES
Date – Teams – Stadium - Time
• Saturday, August 18, 2007 – Impact @ Vancouver – Swangard Stadium – 10 pm (USLlive.com)
• Friday, August 24, 2007 – Impact @ Rochester – Paetec Park – 8 pm (Radio-Canada, FSW, Sirius, CJAD, USLlive.com)
• Sunday, August 26, 2007 – Impact @ Carolina – SAS Stadium – 6 pm (CJAD, USLlive.com)
GAME SUMMARY
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 Ext. 27
