With this win, the Impact moves up to 7th place in the USL First Division standings, taking the last spot for the playoffs.
“It’s an excellent result tonight and it was a great team performance,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “If we play with the same energy Sunday, we will win like we did today. We are satisfied but never 100% satisfied because we have to keep improving and move up in the standings.”
Impact captain Mauro Biello opened the score in the 30th minute. On the play, midfielder Tony Donatelli attempted a shot on the right side that was intercepted by a Silverbacks defender. Biello then took control of the ball and unleashed a low shot on the opposite side, beating Silverbacks goalkeeper Felipe Quintero to his right. This was Biello’s first goal since August 1, 2007 against Carolina, who was also on the starting lineup for the first time since June 28 against Seattle.
“It’s a huge win for us tonight and we did well offensively with three goals,” said Biello. “I’m glad to have scored my first goal at Saputo Stadium. It’s a goal that gave us confidence and hopefully it will give us energy to secure our spot in the playoffs.”
Midfielder Tony Donatelli doubled the Impact’s lead at the end of the second half, scoring a goal in a third consecutive game. On the sequence, Donatelli capitalized on a poorly cleared ball following a corner kick by Joey Gjertsen, and beat Silverbacks goalkeeper with a low shot.
“We bounced back tonight from our loss in Portland,” said Donatelli, who ended the game with three points. “We created enough chances to score five or six goals tonight. Personally, I think that I’m in the right place and I’m becoming more comfortable with my teammates. Hopefully we’ll keep getting more wins.”
Forward Roberto Brown, who was back after missing the last three games due to a suspension, scored his third goal of the season. After accepting a deep pass from Joey Gjertsen that was partially intercepted, Brown got through the defense and went in alone against Quintero, beating him with a lob.
Midfielder Tony McManus scored the only goal for the Silverbacks in the 63rd minute. Left alone deep in the Impact box, McManus dove to the ground to deflect defender Martyn Lancaster’s pass that came from the right side.
The Impact remains unbeaten in seven home games against the Silverbacks (13 GF – 2 GA).
Veteran Patrick Leduc, who came in the game in the 61st minute, played his 200th career game with the Impact, becoming the fourth player in club history to reach this mark.
Note that Simon Gatti played his first season game (90 minutes) as midfielder, while midfielder Sandro Grande played his first game in Montreal since he came back with the club, August 6.
The Impact and the Silverbacks will matchup again at Saputo Stadium this Sunday, at 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com). The Impact will then play its first CONCACAF Champions League game against the Real Esteli FC (Nicaragua), Wednesday, August 27, at Saputo Stadium (8 pm, Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).
HIGHLIGHTS
11th minute – After recovering a ball that Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan cleared with his hand, Silverbacks midfielder Jason McLaughlin took a low shot inside the box, but Jordan made the save with a dive to his left.
25th minute – Forward Roberto Brown made a short pass towards midfielder Mauro Biello, who immediately returned the ball to Brown. The striker deflected the ball with a header, but Atlanta goalkeeper Felipe Quintero dove to his left to make the save.
26th minute – Mauro Biello took a hard shot of about 20 meters that went to the right of the Silverbacks goal.
SOMMAIRE DU MATCH
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AU STADE SAPUTO
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Impact de Montréal
Info : 514-328-3668 (poste 227)
