The tying goal originated with Roberto Brown sending the ball down the right side toward Philippe Billy, who then crossed the ball to Sebrango in the six-yard box. Sebrango, who entered the game in the 71st minute, scored his first goal of the season with a header that beat Rhinos’ keeper Scott Vallow on the left side.
The Rhinos had opened the scoring in the 4th minute, when defender Aaron Pitchkolan deflected with his head a long free-kick from the left flank by defender Jonathan Greenfield. While posted near the six-yard box, Pitchkolan beat Impact goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic to his left.
The Impact dominated the match 9-2 in shots and six corners to none.
“We were much better than Rochester in just about every aspect of the game, but we made on critical mistake on a set piece early on in the game,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “It’s very encouraging to see our strikers start to score again.”
“I think we played one of our best games of the season,” said Philippe Billy, who was named Setanta Sports Player of the match. “We had a real good showing. We created some solid scoring chances and we were very pleased to see Eddy (Sebrango) score today.”
The Impact chose to honour Mauro Biello today, June 20, by retiring his number 20 during a special pre-game ceremony. It’s the first time in the club’s history that a player’s number was retired by the organization. Biello, who played 16 seasons with Montreal, holds multiple team and league records.
During the ceremony, former teammates honoured Biello as part of a video presentation on the giant screen. Then, on the field accompanied by his wife and his children, Biello was given a trophy by the Montreal Ultras, a gift from Impact president Joey Saputo as well as a plaque from the Rhinos organization, with which he won the US Open Cup in 1999.
“This was a very special moment for me,” said the Impact’s assistant coach and former team captain. “I’ve been a part of many great things during the 16 years with the Impact, and I am touched to be receiving such an honour. I’d like to thank the fans and all the people who supported me over the years. Thank you to the Saputo family who provided a place for me to play in front of my family and friends for all these years.”
Goaltender Matt Jordan (groin), along with defenders Nevio Pizzolitto (hip) and Stefano Pesoli (toe) missed today’s match with injuries.
“The quality of our game was quite high today,” said Patrick Leduc, who played as a central defender as a result of the absences of Pesoli and Pizzolitto. “It was probably one of our best games of the season in terms of constructing offence. However, one lapse of concentration defensively cost us the game. I felt we deserved to win this game.”
Defender Stephen deRoux reached the 5,000-minute played plateau in the USSF’s second division.
As part of the PROCURE walk of courage, the Impact players wore blue PROCURE laces, aimed to help fight prostate cancer.
The two long-time rivals will meet again on July 3rd and August 14 in Rochester, and then in Montreal on August 27.
The Impact plays its next match against the Carolina Railhawks on Saturday, June 26, in Cary, North Carolina. The team will then play its next home game in Montreal on Wednesday, June 30, against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Saputo Stadium.
MORE HIGHLIGHTS
19th minute – Midfielder Tony Donatelli headed the ball just over the bar of the Rhinos goal, deflecting a corner kick from Leonardo Di Lorenzo.
27th minute – Right near the goal line, Philippe Billy passed the ball back to Peter Byers, but his shot was blocked by a Rhinos defender.
45th minute – Midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo blasted a free-kick from about 25 yards out, touching the crossbar after taking a deflection off the wall.
52nd minute – Rhinos midfielder Jamie Franks shot from just outside the penalty box, striking the post to the right of Djekanovic.
62nd minute – Striker Roberto Brown headed a cross from Tony Donatelli just over the Rhinos’ goal.
NEXT THREE GAMES
• Saturday June 26 – IMPACT @ Carolina – WakeMed Park – 7 pm (carolinarailhawks.com)
• Wednesday June 30 – Vancouver @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Saturday July 3 – IMPACT @ Rochester – Paetec Park – 7 pm (rhinossoccer.com)
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AT SAPUTO STADIUM
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (Ext. 227)