“It’s a very positive win today, said Impact head coach John Limniatis. We scored three goals and we did not allow them a single one, so it’s significant. But I think that we have to do a few things better. We need to keep the ball more often and not give it away too often.”
Impact forward Roberto Brown, who had missed the last nine games due to a thigh injury and a suspension, ended the game with one goal and two assists.
“It’s a great victory for us. We needed to win this game because we lost many points in the beginning of the season,” said Roberto Brown. “Today, the RaiHawks came a little tired, but it doesn’t change the fact that on the field, Severino (Jefferson) and I understood each other very well. I’m very happy to be back from my injury.”
Brown opened the score in the 13th minute, scoring at the same time the Impact 300th regular season goal at home. Brown redirected with a header a centering pass at the near post from midfielder Rocco Placentino, who was coming from the right wing.
Impact forward Severino Jefferson then gave the team a two-goal lead in the 43rd minute, scoring his first regular season goal. After receiving a deflected header from Brown, Jefferson went in alone in front of RailHawks goalkeeper Chris McClellan and beat him to his right with a low shot that he tried to stop by diving to his left.
Midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo scored the insurance goal for the Impact in the 78th minute. Posted alone on the left wing, Di Lorenzo accepted a pass from Brown and fired a left-foot shot at the right of the net.
“I’m very happy for the win today and the goal I scored,” said Di Lorenzo, who was starting his first game since May 19. Yes we won our last three games but we have a few things to fix. We have to keep working and keep growing as a team.”
Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan earned his fifth regular season shutout after making six saves.
Defender Alex Surprenant started his first career game with the Impact, while defender Gabriel Gervais played his first match since May 10, replacing Patrick Leduc in the 70th minute. Gervais missed the last eight games including the two Canadian Championship matches due to a thigh injury.
Midfielders Antonio Ribeiro (ankle), Joey Gjertsen (abdominals) and Cristian Nuñez (concussion), as well as team captain Mauro Biello (thigh) did not play Sunday’s game due to injuries.
Defender Adam Braz missed his first game of the season due to an automatic one-game suspension, after being ejected from the match against the Charleston Battery, June 13.
The Impact will play its next two games on the West Coast. Montreal will face the Vancouver Whitecaps Wednesday in its third game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, before visiting the Seattle Sounders, Saturday, June 28.
HIGHLIGHTS
24th minute – Impact forward Severino Jefferson beat defender Richard Perdomo and took a low shot that RailHawks goalkeeper Chris McClellan stopped by diving to the floor. Jefferson recovered his own ball and made a short pass to Roberto Brown, who made a shot just wide left of the goal.
76th minute – On a free kick from about 25 meters out from the middle of the pitch, midfielder Rocco Placentino took a high shot directly on the crossbar.
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AT SAPUTO STADIUM
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
