With this win the Impact moves out of the 11th and last spot in the USL First division standings.
“We’re always satisfied with a win,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “Defensively, we continue to do well, but to get into the playoffs we need to show more maturity in certain situations. We could have finished off this match even earlier. It’s just a question of making the right choices, but in general it was good tonight.”
Jefferson scored his third goal of the season. On the play, he accepted a deep pass from the left flank off the foot of midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo. The young Brazilian then faked out a RailHawks defender and took a low shot from near the goal line, beating goalkeeper Chris McClellan to his left.
Pato Aguilera scored his first career goal with the Impact after completing Simon Gatti’s play. It was also Gatti's first point this season.
Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan registered his sixth shutout of the season after facing nine shots.
“The rest we’ve had did the team well tonight because everyone is working really hard,” said midfielder Antonio Ribeiro, who was starting his first game of the season. “We got good scoring chances throughout the game and we’re very satisfied with the result.”
Defender Gabriel Gervais was in the starting lineup for the first time since July 6 but was forced to leave the game in the 18th minute due to a left thigh injury. Gervais had missed five games due to a right thigh injury.
Midfielder Félix Brillant, who joined the team July 30, made his first career appearance with the Impact when he replaced Gervais in the 18th minute, but was handed a red card in the 90th minute. A moment earlier, in the 88th minute, RailHawks defender David Stokes was also ejected after elbowing midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo from behind.
Impact forward Roberto Brown missed the game in North Carolina due to his ejection in Montreal’s game against Rochester on July 27. Defenders Adam Braz (thigh), Cédric Joqueviel (groin) and Nevio Pizzolitto (back), as well as midfielder Mauro Biello (wrist and heel) did not play due to injuries.
The Impact will play its next game Wednesday, August 13, against the Rochester Rhinos at Saputo Stadium. All tickets for that game are available for $10 ($5 for 16 and under) and hot dogs will be $1.
Meanwhile, the Impact and its reserve team, the Trois-Rivières Attak, will play the third and final exhibition game between both teams this season on Sunday, August 10 at Saputo Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 pm.
HIGHLIGHTS
16th minute – RailHawks forward Daniel Antoniuk headed a 20-meter free kick to the near post, but his shot hit the outside netting.
48th minute – Midfielder Félix Brillant beat two RailHawks defenders and went in alone on goalkeeper Chris McClellan. Brillant beat McClellan but his weak shot missed just wide.
GAME SUMMARY
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
