"We played a great game and the tie is a good result," said player coach Mauro Biello. "Not only did we create great chances in the second half, but the performance was also very solid in front of the net. Srdjan (Djekanovic) played an amazing match tonight."
Impact goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic faced 17 shots. He made a number of spectacular saves at the end of the second half, notably off a hard shot from midfielder Kwame Sarkodie that Djekanovic was able to save from point blank range whil diving to his right.
Then, midfielder Michael Ambersley tried to dribble around Djekanovic, but the Impact keeper stayed with him and made a desperation save with his hand near the goal line.
Djekanovic was playing his second USL match of the season, after having posted a 4-0 clean sheet versus Austin on May 17, at Saputo Stadium.
This was his sixth career shutout in the USL First Division.
Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos was ejected from the game in the 42nd minute, after making a friendly contact with Rhinos midfielder Tiger Fitzpatrick, who was attempting to complete a throw-in.
Midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo started for the first time since facing the Timbers, in Portland, on June 28.
Forward Pierre-Rudolph Mayard made his first career regular season start with the Impact. It also marked the first time in club history that two brothers started a game, Elkana Mayard having played the full 90 minutes of this match.
Several regular players were not part of the starting 11: goalkeeper Matt Jordan, defender Nevio Pizzolitto (suspended for one game), midfielders Sandro Grande (suspended indefinitely) and Rocco Placentino, as well as forward Eduardo Sebrango.
Still nursing injuries, defenders Cédric Joqueviel and Zanzan (thigh), as well as midfielder Patrick Leduc (foot) did not make the trip.
With this tie, the Impact has ended a sequence of three consecutive defeats.
The Impact plays its next game at home, Sunday versus Puerto Rico, at Saputo Stadium, at 3:30pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
21st minute - After a cross from midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo, forward Pierre-Rudolph Mayard took a shot that missed just right of the Rochester net.
23rd minute - Coming in on the right flank, Rhinos midfielder Ryan Helms took a powerful shot that Impact goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic stopped while diving to his left.
26th minute - Rhinos defender Kenny Bertz unleashed a heavy, right-footed shot from inside the box that went off the post.
46th minute – Forward Roberto Brown fired a high shot in the box, but goalkeeper Tim Melia made the save by leaping in the air.
59th minute - Midfielder David Testo's cross into the box was headed left of the net by forward Roberto Brown.
68th minute - Midfielder Rocco Placentino's dangerous cross into the box was headed just over the net by Brown.
NEXT GAMES
• Sunday, July 19 – Puerto Rico @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium– 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Wednesday, July 22 – Cleveland @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Saturday, July 25 – IMPACT @ Austin – Nelson Field – 8:30 pm (USLlive.com)
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AT MARINA AUTO STADIUM
-30-
Source: Claudia Gervais, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 234)
