“We knew that the team that made the least errors would win the match,” declared head coach Marc Dos Santos. “Tonight we lacked movement and we were not able to destabilize sufficiently the Timbers defense. This evening, two organized teams matched up. I think that the Impact played better but we weren’t able to take advantage of our opportunities, while the opponent did.”
Portland, which is now undefeated for 21 consecutive matches, scored the game-winning goal at the 83rd minute. Following a pass behind the Montreal defense, midfielder Ryan Pore deflected the ball with his left foot to beat goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic to the far post.
Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic, who played a seventh consecutive regular season match, made seven saves and faced a total of 14 shots.
“We made a lot of efforts tonight but we were not rewarded this evening. It’s encouraging for what’s coming up,” noted the Impact Man of the match Cédric Joqueviel. “We are on the right track because we are dominating all our games. We need to be more careful to inattention mistakes.”
“We are having a hard time scoring goals and we make mistakes that cost us,” noted team captain Mauro Biello, who reached the 25,000 minutes played mark with the Impact, becoming the first player in club history to register this record. “We need to keep on working and improving ourselves from now to the end of the season if we want to make the playoffs. It will be a constant battle and we need to collect a maximum of points.”
Defender Adam Braz started his 100th game in career with the Impact.
Defender Simon Gatti was issued a fifth caution this season at the 47th minute. He will automatically serve a one-game suspension next week, probably against Austin.
In the last moments of the game, Timbers defender Cameron Knowles suffered a severe right tibia fracture, near stoppage time.
The Montreal Impact will play the first of a two-game road trip this Saturday against the Islanders, in Puerto Rico (8 pm, USLlive.com). The team will then fly to Cleveland to face the City Stars, Tuesday (7 pm, USLLive.com).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
19th minute – On a long pass from Nevio Pizzolitto, forward Roberto Brown controlled the ball with his chest, turned, and from inside the box, took a low shot to the far post that went to the left of the goal.
22nd minute – Timbers midfielder Tony McManus made a pass behind the Montreal defense to forward George Josten, but Impact goalkeeper came out from his goal to impede him from taking the shot.
37th minute – On a cross from forward George Josten, defender David Hayes, who went out offensively, placed a volley from inside the box that went off to the left of the goal.
49th minute – Forward Roberto Brown accepted a cross from midfielder Ciaran O’Brien, but his shot went just above the Timbers goal.
70th minute - Timbers midifielder Ryan Pore fired a point blank shot, but defender Cédric Joqueviel dove to the ground to deflect the ball above the goal.
88th minute – Defender Adam Braz cleared a ball from near the goal line.
NEXT MATCHES
• Saturday, August 15 – IMPACT @ Puerto Rico – Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium - 8 pm (USLlive.com)
• Tuesday, August 18 – IMPACT @ Cleveland – Middlefield Cheese Stadium -7 pm (USLlive.com)
• Sunday, August 23 – Austin @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, FSW, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AT SAPUTO STADIUM
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (Ext. 227)
