With the win and only two games remaining this season, the Impact (29pts) is three points behind the Minnesota Stars for the sixth and final playoff spot.
The Impact scored the game-winning goal at the 40th minute of play. Kreamalmeyer scored his first career goal with the Impact on a cross towards the goal that was caught by Carolina goalkeeper Brad Knighton behind the goal line.
“The mindset of our players was great and we did everything to win this game,” said Impact head coach and sporting director Nick De Santis. “We played a complete game at all levels today. We created at least seven or eight good scoring opportunities in the first half. Defensively, we did not give them any space to play. We also managed the game well in the middle of the field. We played with rhythm, with a good cohesion and we were the better team on the field today. It was one of our best performances of the season. We still have two important games to play and we have to prepare for the upcoming week”
“The team worked hard today and we had a great team effort,” said Kreamalmeyer, who was named Setanta Sports Player of the Game. “This victory means a lot to all of us and those three points are very important. We want to go out and get the six remaining points.”
“We did not get the result that we wanted in the last two games, but we came out strong on the field today,” added Impact midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic, who registered a pass on Keamalmeyer’s goal. “Everybody did what was asked of them. It is an important win for us.”
The Impact dominated 18-4 on shots. The Carolina goalkeeper finished the game with 11 saves. Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush registered his seventh shutout of the season.
The Impact got the first scoring opportunity of the game at the 8th minute of play. After receiving a pass from forward Mignane Diouf, midfielder Ryan Pore took a low shot near the penalty spot, but the shot was saved by Knighton.
The Impact had several chances in the first half, including a point blank shot from Diouf at the 17th minute, and a shot from Miguel Montaño one minute later, but both were stopped by Knighton. Diouf finished the game with four shots, while Montaño took five shots towards Knighton.
Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush distinguised himself in the 72nd and 84th minutes after stopping two free kicks from the RailHawks, first from striker Etienne Barbara, who leads the NASL in goals and points, and then from teammate Pablo Campos.
Striker Eduardo Sebrango returned to action in the 75th minute, after missing the last two games with a thigh injury.
Defenders Simon Gatti and Nevio Pizzolitto respectively received a yellow card at the 47th and 78th minute of play, and will both miss the next game with an automatic one-game suspension, due to an accumulation of five cautions.
The Impact will play its last regular season home game at Saputo Stadium against FC Edmonton, on Sept. 17, at 7:30pm (98,5FM, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports). Tickets for this game are still available through Admission Network (admission.com / 514-790-1245) or at Saputo Stadium’s ticketing office. The Impact will conclude its regular season on Sept. 24 at 7:30 against the Silverbacks, in Atlanta (atlantasilverbacks.com)
Also of note, the Minnesota Stars will play their last two games of the season on the road, on Sept. 17 at Tampa Bay and Sept. 24 in Carolina.
NEXT TWO GAMES
• Saturday, Sept. 17 – FC Edmonton @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30pm (98,5FM, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
• Saturday, Sept. 24 – IMPACT @ Atlanta Silverbacks – Atlanta Silverbacks Park – 7:30pm (atlantasilverbacks.com)
GAME SUMMARY
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