Thunder forward Melvin Tarley scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time at the end of the game by heading a centering pass from former Impact player Frederico Moojen. Tarley beat Jordan to his left, just inside the post.
“It’s really disappointing to lose this way,” said Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “It’s unfortunate to allow a goal like that with all the experience we have. We took some bad decisions late in the game which led to the goal. We were the better team on the field today but once again, we were unable to score on our chances.”
Montreal continues to struggle against Minnesota and has yet to beat the Thunder in its last five match-ups (0-3-2).
In spite of difficult conditions, the Impact succeeded in creating good scoring opportunities throughout the game but was unable to capitalize.
In the 29th minute, forward Severino Jefferson cut off a clearing pass in Minnesota's zone which sent Charles Gbeke alone on the left wing. Gbeke’s high shot from 20 yards was blocked by goalkeeper Nicolas Platter, diving to his right.
In the 58th minute, it was Jefferson’s turn to rush in on the goalkeeper on a pass from Gbeke, but his low shot was partially blocked by the goalkeeper and then bounced just wide left of the net.
“It’s unfortunate because we worked hard throughout the game,” noted Impact midfielder Patrick Leduc, who played the whole 90 minutes for a fifth consecutive match. “It was a game that was very similar to the one in Puerto Rico last week, since we also played in difficult conditions. We did well and we didn’t allow them any scoring chances, but we certainly regret some mistakes we made that led to the goal.”
Impact rookie defender Cédric Joqueviel played his first career game with the Impact, coming into the game in the 71st minute for defender Gabriel Gervais, who left the field with a thigh injury.
Impact forward Roberto Brown was out of the lineup serving the first of a three-game suspension following a red card he received in Puerto Rico last Saturday.
The Impact will play a sixth consecutive game on the road, this Wednesday against the Battery in Charleston, before the home opener at Saputo Stadium, Monday, May 19, at 3 pm, against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
HIGHLIGHTS
4th minute - Posted in front of the Impact net, Thunder forward Aaron Paye deflected a short pass from midfielder Dayton O'Brien which grazed the post, to the right of Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan.
16th minute - On an Impact corner kick taken by Pato Aguilera to the near post, midfielder Patrick Leduc headed the ball just right of the Minnesota Thunder net.
49th minute - On a free kick by Leonardo Di Lorenzo from 30 yards out, defender Gabriel Gervais redirected the ball with a header which landed square on top of the crossbar.
69th minute - Midfielder Ricardo Sanchez took a high shot from the right flank, but Matt Jordan blocked the ball, diving to his right.
78th minute - Former Impact player Alen Marcina took a point blank shot from inside the box but Jordan made the save, at his feet.
GAME SUMMARY
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
