The Stars opened the scoring at the 32nd minute on a penalty kick taken by midfielder Neil Hlavaty, who beat Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush on a low shot to his right while he had dived to the opposite side.
"We were timid and nervous at the beginning of the match. Minnesota was playing better in the first 20 minutes but after their goal, we were the best team and we gained momentum," said Impact head coach and sporting director Nick De Santis.
"It's unfortunate because we got a few good scoring chances," added De Santis. "The players wanted to score and I appreciated their desire to get the three points. We have to keep believing and do well in our next home games."
Bush distinguished himself in the 7th minute, diving to his left to stop a low shot from midfielder Lucas Rodriguez inside the 18-yard box.
Midfielder David Testo received a yellow card at the 27th minute, his fifth of the season. He will have to serve a one-game league suspension.
During stoppage time of the first half, defender Hassoun Camara took a free kick in the center from about 20 meters that went to the left of the Stars net.
At the 61st minute, forward Marco Terminesi worked hard against a Stars defender inside the 18-yard box to gain space, but his low shot to the near post was stopped by goalkeeper Joe Warren. Terminesi had replaced forward Mignane Diouf at the 45th minute.
Three minutes later, Hlavaty took a 25-meter shot that was intercepted at the penalty spot by forward Devin Del Do, who took a left-footed shot that went to the right of the Impact net.
At the 66th minute, Impact team captain Nevio Pizzolitto then deflected with a header a free kick from midfielder Antonio Ribeiro near the second post but just wide.
At the 85th minute, Camara dribbled towards the net before passing to Eduardo Sebrango, who turned and took a point blank shot. Goalkeeper Joe Warren made a diving save and Marco Terminesi took advantage of the rebound, but his shot hit the post and was then kicked out by a Stars defender on the goal line.
Camara came close from tying the game at the 89th minute, but his point blank shot from inside the 18-yard box was again saved by Warren.
The game featured a total of eight cautions, including six yellow cards given to the Impact players.
The Impact will play five consecutive games at Saputo Stadium, starting on July 31, against the Puerto Rico Islanders, at 2:30pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, 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.
On another note, the Impact U21 team will play its next game against the Serbian White Eagles this Saturday at 1pm at Saputo Stadium. Fans can attend this game for a cost of $4 for adults and $2 for children. The Impact U21 is still first in the Canadian Soccer League overall standings with a record of 8-3-3.
NEXT THREE GAMES
• Sunday, July 31 – Puerto Rico Islanders @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2:30pm
• Saturday, August 6 – Minnesota Stars @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 8pm
• Wednesday, August 10 – FC Tampa Bay @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30pm
GAME SUMMARY
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