With the win, the Impact automatically clinched at least second place in USL D1 standings and therefore earned a bye into the semi-final round.
Goalkeeper Greg Sutton, who faced five shots, registered his eighth shutout of the season.
“It was a hard-fought match and there weren’t too many scoring chances”, said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “We congested the midfield and kept fighting. The guys really believed they could get a win. David (Fronimadis) served a beautiful ball to set up the game-winning goal.”
“It’s great to get a bye,” he added. “It’s another year that we make it to at least the semi-finals. We’re definitely in a good position and it’s all about attaining objectives. Now that we are qualified, we also want to finish the season on a good note, at home next week, and clinch first place overall.”
Captain Mauro Biello surpassed the 25,000 minutes-played mark in his United Soccer Leagues First Division career, while midfielder Patrick Leduc became the 8th player in club history to play 10,000 minutes with Montreal.
The Impact will conclude its regular season at home on Friday, September 8, against the Toronto Lynx. (7:30 pm, CJAD 800, Sport Plus XM-172).
The Rochester Raging Rhinos, who trail the Impact by 10 points, have to win their last four games to surpass the Impact and clinch first place overall in the USL First Division.
The quarter-final round of the USL D1 playoffs will take place September 15 and 17, while the semi-finals will be played September 22 and 24. Winners of each home-and-away round will be determined on total goals scored. The final is slated for September 30.
THE GOALS
88th minute – Defender David Fronimadis, who started a first match this season, made a nice centering pass that midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo redirected with his head, beating Timbers goalkeeper Bayard Elfvin.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
27th minute – Captain Mauro Biello received a pass from forward Joel Bailey but his shot went wide over the Timbers net.
36th minute – Forward Mauricio Salles deflected with his head a centering ball from midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo coming from the left flank, but Timbers goalkeeper Bayard Elfvin made the save.
67th minute – Timbers midfielder Hugo Alcaraz-Cuellar took a free kick and sent it directly on goal. Greg Sutton caught it in his arms.
71st minute – Timbers defender Ronnie Silva went into the Impact 18-yard box but Sutton made the save.
MISSING FROM THE LINE-UP
Team – Player (Position) – Reason – Status
MTL – Antonio Ribeiro (M) – Groin injury – Did not play Thursday, day to day
MTL – Mauricio Vincello (D) – Accumulation of yellow cards - 1-game suspension
MTL – Massimo Di Ioia (F) – With Canadian National Team – Was not be available Thursday
MTL – Zé Roberto (M) – Fractured right tibia August 25 vs VB – Out for the season
MTL - Jason Di Tullio (D) - Knee injury July 21 @ MIN - Out for the season
MTL – Kirk Wilson (M) – Out for personal reasons
NEXT GAME
Fri. Sept. 8 - Toronto @ Impact - Claude-Robillard Sports Complex – 7:30 pm
(end of regular season)
GAME SUMMARY
www.impactmontreal.com/Tracker/Tracker.aspx?GameID=26&language=EN
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 Ext. 27
