For the first time in club history the Impact scored five goals in the same match on the road.
The Impact also ended a six-game winless streak on the road and registered its first victory against Baltimore this season.
“The three points tonight were much more important than the score of the game,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “Again we had many chances to score but the difference tonight is that we converted our opportunities. When you score one or two goals, you put yourself in a good position to win. The win is good for the team confidence. Now we have to continue to be positive, keep looking forward and think of our next opponent, because we have to continue to get points.”
Striker Ali Gerba scored the first hat trick in team history in regular season play (15th, 38th and 44th minute). Eduardo Sebrango scored his second goal in as many matches in the 25th minute. Midfielder Antonio Ribeiro also found the back of the net in the 53rd minute of play. Sebrango and Ribeiro also tallied an assist.
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan registered his third shutout of the season. He notably made a key save when he dove to stop a high shot in the 78th minute. Team captain and defender Nevio Pizzolitto started his 250th career match in the league.
With six regular season games left this season, the Montreal squad is now ahead of the Tampa Bay Rowdies and joins the Minnesota Stars, in seventh place in the overall standings. The first eight teams will make the playoffs.
IMPACT GOALS
Posted near the front of the net, Gerba received a short pass from Antonio Ribeiro and took a low shot to beat goalkeeper Evan Bush to his left.
Forward Eduardo Sebrango doubled Montreal’s lead less than 10 minutes later. After receiving a pass from the left side from Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Sebrango scored his third goal of the season, with a left-footed shot that beat Bush to his right.
Gerba scored his second of the match in the 38th minute. After beating the Crystal Palace defence, Gerba beat Bush and was left with an empty net to score on.
Gerba completed the hat trick in the 44th minute, beating Bush with a high shot to his right, after receiving a pass from Sebrango.
Finally, in the second half, posted near the net, Ribeiro scored his second goal of the season into an open net, after finishing the rebound left by Bush after a shot from Sebrango.
The Montreal squad will play its next match at Saputo Stadium on August 27 against the Rochester Rhinos, at 7:30pm (Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).
The Montreal Impact Academy (5-8-5) shut out the North York Astros (4-11-2) by a score of 3-0, Saturday afternoon, at Saputo Stadium.
THE LAST SIX MATCHES
• Friday, August 27 – Rochester @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30pm (Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Wednesday, September 8 – IMPACT @ Puerto Rico – Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium – 8:05pm (prislandersfc.com)
• Saturday, September 11 – IMPACT @ Miami – Lockhart Stadium – 7:30pm (miamifc.com)
• Sunday, September 19 – Tampa Bay @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Friday, September 24 – IMPACT @ Vancouver – Swangard Stadium– 10:30pm (Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports)
• Sunday, October 3 – Austin @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
GAME SUMMARY
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (Ext. 227)
