Biello scored following a centering pass from Patrick Leduc. Leduc came up on the right wing and sent the ball into the penalty area, where it found the Impact captain, who took a low shot on a bang-bang play.
"We moved the ball around well on the play," said Biello. "I saw Patrick, so I ran towards the goal. That’s the attitude I’ve decided to have this season. When there’s a chance to do it, I just go for it."
Goalkeeper Greg Sutton picked up his second shutout in as many starts this season, while the Impact now posts a 2-0 record.
"Defensively, we were impeccable," said Impact head coach Nick DeSantis. "If we play each game with as much intensity and discipline the rest of the way, we’ll be hard to beat."
The Montreal squad picked up its first victory at Blackbaud Stadium since May 14, 1997, and put an end to a three-game losing streak there.
The Impact is now sure to come back home from its present three-game road trip with a winning record, whatever the result at Saturday’s game in Atlanta against the Silverbacks (6 pm). Head coach Nick DeSantis’ team collected a 2-0 win in its season opener, last Sunday in Puerto Rico, against the Islanders.
The 2003 A-League champion Battery lost for the first time this season. The South Carolina team has a 1-1-1 record.
Sutton made his best save of the game at the 71st minute, when Chris Bagley, following a cross, headed the ball towards the back of the net, just under the crossbar. The Impact goalkeeper made a spectacular dive to push the ball over the goal and out of bounds.
On the Impact side, Biello was sent on a breakaway at the 84th minute following a leading pass by Leduc that split the Charleston defence. Chased by an opponent, Biello’s shot was just high and wide.
The game was played under torrential rain in the first half. The showers stopped after halftime, and the pace picked up in the second half.
"We suffered in the first half," said DeSantis. "But we knew what to expect, and we were patient. We gained more and more confidence as the game went on, and it finally paid off."
After Saturday’s game in Atlanta, the Impact will have two weeks to prepare for its home opener at Claude Robillard Stadium, slated for Sunday, May 16 at 4 pm against the Virginia Beach Mariners.
MTL 1 : CHA 0
Buts / Goals
MTL: M Biello (Leduc) 106
ALIGNEMENTS / LINEUPS
MONTREAL
Mauro Biello, Adam Braz, Nikola Budalic 57(Bailey 85, Kolic) Jason DiTullio, David Fronimadis 77 (Vincello), Gabriel Gervais, Sandro Grande, Patrick Leduc, Zé Roberto 71 (Ribeiro, Eduardo Sebrango, Grag Sutton
CHARLESTON
D.Hudock, H.Jensen 69 (Goos), Mark Watson, Mike Green, N.Downing, A.Korol, J.Evans, S.Klein, K.Jackson, Greg Simmonds, C.Bagley 76 (Martinez)
Tirs/Shots – 7:7
Arrêts/Saves – 4:1
Fautes/Fouls – 17:14
Hors-jeux/Offsides – 2:2
Corners – 4:1
Avert./Cautions
CHA: N.Downing 61, G.Simmonds 90
MTL: Z.Roberto 28, S.Grande 82
Assist./Attend.: 2965
Arbitre/Referee
Abbas Piran
Juges de touche/Linesmen
Jeff Muschik, Ben Hichak
4e officiel/4th official
Bob Wern
-30-
SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
