Timbers forward Chris Brown scored the lone goal of the game in the 45th minute, taking advantage of a poor clearing from the Montreal defense, beating Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan with a high shot to his right.
“We came out very strong in the second half and we had a lot of scoring chances, but in the end we have to score if we want to win and we did not succeed,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “It’s deceiving because the lone goal of the game was scored on our single error of the game.”
"It can happen that you don't score a goal but it has to change because we are playing very good soccer right now," said forward Rocco Placentino. "I'd rather play bad and score a goal than play well and miss ten goals."
The Impact started the second half with a nine-shot sequence against only one from the Timbers in 15 minutes of play.
In the 47th minute of play, Impact forward Charles Gbeke took a point blank shot, which Timbers goalkeeper saved, diving to his left. Less than two minutes later, Impact midfielder Joey Gjertsen took a volley shot inside the 18-yard box that hit the bar to the left of Timbers goalkeeper.
“We fought from the beginning until the end of the game but the ball did not want to go in,” said forward Charles Gbeke. We wanted to get the three points tonight for our fans.”
Defender Gabriel Gervais (thigh), as well as midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo (thigh) and forward Roberto Brown (thigh) missed the game due to injuries.
The Impact set a new team record by not scoring in its last five games, including the Canadian Championship game against Toronto FC.
The Impact will play its next game this Wednesday against the Miami FC, at Saputo Stadium (7:30 pm, CKAC Sports, TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
HIGHLIGHTS
8th minute –Impact forward Rocco Placentino fired a 30-meter shot that nearly defeated Timbers goalkeeper Ray Burse.
36th minute – Rocco Placentino took a strong shot off a pass in the penalty box that Timbers Ray Burse stopped by extending his arms to his left.
44th minute – Midfielder Patrick Leduc deflected with a header a corner kick by midfielder Joey Gjertsen, just to the right of the Portland Timbers’ goal.
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AT SAPUTO STADIUM
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
