With this win and a total of 39 points, the Montreal team stands alone 5th in the USL First Division standings, one point ahead of Rochester. A loss or a tie from Miami tonight against Austin would secure the Impact a spot in the playoffs.
The Impact scored the first goal at the 23rd minute. On the sequence, forward Roberto Brown deflected with a header a cross to the near post from Peter Byers, which City Stars defender Ibrahim Kante in turn deflected to the left of goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap.
Brown scored his second goal of the match at the 69th minute, deflecting this time Leonardo Di Lorenzo’s cross from the right flank. Brown’s header, who was left alone at the far post, left no chance to goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap.
This was the Panamean forward’s 6th and 7th season goal, as well as his first two goals scored in a single match in career in the USL-1.
"I'm very happy to have contributed to today's victory," said Brown. "On the second goal, I only had to head Leo's (Di Lorenzo) perfect cross. This win will give us even more confidence, plus we will keep our rhythm for the playoffs."
"It's not easy to play anywhere in the league. Again today, the game was difficult against a team that had registered only one loss in its last five home matches," noted Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Ball possession is tough here. We suffered at the end of the match, but bottom line, what really matters is to win. We deserve the three points."
Midfielder Alioune Gueye scored the only goal for the City Stars at the 37th minute.
Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic who was in front of the net for the first time since August 12 against Portland, faced 12 shots.
The Impact continues on a positive streak, remaining undefeated in its last five matches (4-0-1). This sequence started with a 2-1 win, in Cleveland, last August 18. The Impact has also won its three games this season against the City Stars (3-0-0).
"Today's match was tough because there was a lack of rhythm," noted defender Cédric Joqueviel. "Fortunately, we managed the game well. We come back home with a positive result."
Midfielder Patrick Leduc finally played his first season match, replacing Leonardo Di Lorenzo at the 70th minute. This was his first game since August 27, 2008, against Real Esteli FC. Leduc nursed for more than 12 months a stress fracture to his right foot, which had required surgery last May.
Defender Nevio Pizzolitto served an automatic one-game suspension against the City Stars, after having been ejected at the 90th minute of the game against Carolina.
The Impact will play its next game at home against the Whitecaps, Wednesday, at Saputo Stadium, at 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com). Montreal will then host the Minnesota Thunder, Sunday, September 13 (3:30 pm, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com), and will finish the regular season by facing the RailHawks, Friday, September 18, in Cary (7 pm, USLlive.com).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
18th minute – On a weakly blocked ball by City Stars defender Ibrahim Kante, midfielder Ciaran O’Brien fired a low strike to the far post from inside the box, which went wide to the left of the goal.
53rd minute – On a pass from Alioune Gueye behind the Montreal Impact defense, forward Teteh Bangura took a low shot that the Impact goalkeeper stopped by diving to his left.
63rd minute – After accepting a pass from Ryan Stewart, midfielder Arsene Oka fired a powerful high strike that swerved just to the left of the Impact goal.
THE LAST 3 REGULAR SEASON MATCHES
• Wednesday, September 9 – Vancouver @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com
• Sunday, September 13 – Minnesota @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Friday, September 18 – IMPACT @ Carolina – 7 pm (USLlive.com)
GAME SUMMARY
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext 227)
