Battery forward Randy Patterson scored the winning goal in the 85th minute, jumping on a rebound, following a blocked shot by Cedric Joqueviel. Patterson took a high shot to the near post that left no chance for goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who was beat to his left.
“Once again, we allowed a goal at the end of the game and we didn’t have time to react,” said Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “We started the game off slowly, but we played much better in the second half, when we started playing as a team. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t good enough to win. We’re in a hole right now and we’re going to have to come out of it.”
Replacing injured defenders Gabriel Gervais and Nevio Pizzolitto on the Impact defensive line, Cédric Joqueviel and Stefano Pesoli did well throughout the game, as did goalkeeper Matt Jordan who faced 10 shots.
“I thought we had control of the game on the road, but we were unable to score,” noted Montreal Impact captain Mauro Biello. “With only two wins, we need to find our identity once we're back home. We’re questioning ourselves right now and we need to find our identity as quickly as possible.”
Rookie defender Alex Surprenant played his first career game with the Impact when he replaced defender Simon Gatti on the left wing in the 74th minute.
The Impact now has a lifetime record of 7-8-0 (16 GF – 15 GA) in 15 games against Charleston, who remains undefeated in four games at home so far this season (3-0-1).
With a record of two wins and four losses in six games, this is the Impact's worst start since 2001.
The Impact will be back in Montreal tomorrow and will play its inaugural game at the new Saputo Stadium, Monday, May 19, against the Vancouver Whitecaps (3 pm, Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
HIGHLIGHTS
21st minute - Left alone in the box, Battery defender Kevin Nylen redirected a Charleston corner kick with a header that went over the Impact net.
41st minute - With Battery forward Aaron King rushing in alone on the right wing, Impact defender Cedric Joqueviel made a nice run back to strip the ball away from him. A few seconds later, King threatened again with a powerful shot from 15 yards out that sailed over the Impact net.
63rd minute - Posted in the box, Impact team captain Mauro Biello received a pass from Joey Gjertsen, spun around and took a high shot that Battery goalkeeper Keith Wiggans caught, without giving any rebound.
80th minute - From the top of the box, midfielder David Testo took a strong, diagonal shot that went just wide right of the net.
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
