"We battled tonight but we did not have the legs to fight during 90 minutes," said Impact head coach John Limniatis. "Although these are not excuses, there were factors tonight like the heat, fatigue and a few injuries that were important obstacles to our play. And if you want to win on the road, you have to score when you get excellent scoring opportunities."
Trailing behind 2-0, Impact midfielder Tony Donatelli closed the lead to one goal by scoring a second goal in as many games in the 86th minute, after completing Sita-Taty Matondo’s play, who from near the goal line to the right of the net, sent a low centering pass. Donatelli easily defeated Timbers goalkeeper Brad Knighton with a low shot.
Forward Bryan Jordan had scored the first goal for the Timbers in the 50th minute. Posted near the penalty point, Jordan deflected with a header the centering pass from defender Scot Thompson who was coming from the right wing, beating Impact goalkeeper Andrew Weber to his left.
Midfielder Chris Brown had doubled the Timbers’ lead in the 70th minute, taking Weber by surprise with a high 35-meter shot.
With this loss, the Impact falls to ninth place in the USL First Division standings.
Goalkeeper Andrew Weber played his second season game, a first start since April 25 in Atlanta. He faced 11 shots.
In addition to having Weber in the nets, head coach John Limniatis brought many changes to the lineup. In midfield Sandro Grande played his first game since his return with the Impact on August 6, while Félix Brillant started his first career game with the club. Defender Alex Surprenant was on the starting lineup for the first time since June 22 against the Carolina RailHawks, whereas Antonio Ribeiro played in as forward.
Many regular players were not on the lineup: forward Roberto Brown, who was serving his third and last game of a three-game suspension, as well as injured players David Testo (calf), Adam Braz (thigh), Nevio Pizzolitto (back), Gabriel Gervais (thigh) and Rocco Placentino (knee).
The Impact will play its next two games against the Atlanta Silverbacks at Saputo Stadium Wednesday, August 20 and Sunday, August 24. Both games will be start at 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
HIGHLIGHTS
5th minute – Impact midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo took a powerful left foot high shot from about 20 meters out, but Timbers goalkeeper Brad Knighton deflected the ball above the net.
30th minute – Midfielder Sandro Grande fired a 30 meter free kick, but Brad Knighton punched the ball over the crossbar, diving backwards.
61st minute – Defender Alex Surprenant made a centering pass towards forward Severino Jefferson, who deflected the ball with a header just to the left of the Timbers goal.
SOMMAIRE DU MATCH
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Impact de Montréal
Info : 514-328-3668 (poste 227)
