“I think that this victory against a great team arrives at the right moment for us,” declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “This win means a lot for the team. The players gave everything and they suffered a lot. The opponent put a lot of pressure on us but we remained solid. It’s with that type of attitude that the character of champions is built.”
Di Lorenzo scored at the 11th minute. On a cross from defender Adam Braz from the right wing, which was weakly headed in front of the net by RailHawks midfielder Brad Rusin, Di Lorenzo fired a powerful left-footed shot that left no chance to RailHawks goalkeeper Eric Reed. Di Lorenzo registered his first goal and a fourth point this season.
“It's a huge win for us tonight," declared Di Lorenzo. "We fought for every ball and played for 90 minutes. That’s the way we had to do it to beat them. Getting three points in those circumstances has even more value."
“Our team spirit made a difference today,” mentioned defender Adam Braz. “We did what we had to do to get our three points. We are progressing together as a unit and we are ready for the next challenge against Cleveland.”
Eight cautions were issued in this second match in four days between both clubs. Impact defender Nevio Pizzolitto, who received two cautions, was ejected at the 90th minute. Carolina RailHawks head coach Martin Rennie was also ejected at the 68th minute for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“Two good teams and two very competitive opponents met tonight,” added Braz. “The game was very intense and sometimes players get emotionally involved into the match.”
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who faced eight shots, registered his sixth shut out and seventh win this season. He notably stood out at the 39th minute, when he stopped the 20-meter shot from midfielder Daniel Paladini by diving to his left.
The RailHawks got one of their best scoring chances in stoppage time when Paladini took a shot that hit the post to the left of Matt Jordan.
The Impact remains undefeated at its last four matches (3-0-1) and has not lost this season (5-0-2) when it takes the lead after the first half.
Following the last match, five changes have been made to the starting lineup: defender Stefano Pesoli, midfielders Leonardo Di Lorenzo and Joey Gjertsen, as well as forwards Rocco Placentino and Eduardo Sebrango started the game tonight.
Midfielder Tony Donatelli reached the 100th career game mark in the USL First Division.
With four games to play in regular season, the Montreal team is in 5th rank of the USL First Division, with 36 points, one point ahead of the Rochester Rhinos.
The Impact will play its next match in Cleveland against the City Stars, at Middlefield Cheese Stadium, at 2 pm (USLlive.com). The Montreal squad will then be back at Saputo Stadium to match up against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Wednesday, September 9, at 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
3rd minute – On a free kick from 25 meters out taken by midfielder Joey Gjertsen, defender Stefano Pesoli deflected the ball with a header just above the RailHawks goal.
25th minute – After defeating a RailHawks player along the left wing sidelines, midfielder Rocco Placentino dribbled towards the goal, and from the edge of the box, fired a high shot that was stopped by Eric Reed.
36th minute – On a cross from defender Adam Braz that the RailHawks goalkeeper punched out, Leonardo Di Lorenzo jumped on the rebound with a powerful low shot, but Reed dove to his left to make the save.
43rd minute – Forward Eduardo Sebrango, standing at the near post, deflected with a header a free kick from Rocco Placentino, but Reed made the save by seizing the ball near the post.
THE LAST 4 REGULAR SEASON MATCHES
• Saturday, September 5 – IMPACT @ Cleveland - Middlefield Cheese Stadium – 2 pm (USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, September 9 – Vancouver @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Sunday, September 13 – Minnesota @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Friday, September 18 – IMPACT @ Carolina – 7 pm (USLlive.com)
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AT SAPUTO STADIUM
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (Ext. 227)
