Impact defender Stefano Pesoli opened the score at the 14th minute. On the sequence, defender Nevio Pizzolitto redirected with a header a corner kick by Leonardo Di Lorenzo. Pesoli then took a volley shot from inside the box that beat Joe Public FC goalkeeper Alejandro Figueroa to his left.
Midfielder Tony Donatelli doubled Montreal’s lead at the 47th minute. On the play, Joey Gjertsen deflected with a header a center coming down the left from midfielder Félix Brillant towards Donatelli, who controlled the ball before taking a shot inside the box. The ball was then deflected by defender Jason Springer over Figueroa.
“I am very happy with our performance tonight,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis.
“We expected a very athletic team and we needed to defend well and things worked out well for us because we showed discipline defensively and we did great going forward. We had energy and we showed that we were motivated during the first thirty minutes. We controlled the ball well after and in that situation, you need to defend less.”
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan made seven saves. He notably stopped shots from Gregory Richardson and Keyeno Thoma in the second half. He registered a third shutout in as many games in the CONCACAF Champions League. Jordan had shut out the Real Estelí FC during the two preliminary games.
“Fortunately I think that with experience, you learn to be in the right position at the right time,” said Jordan. “I’m glad that it benefits tonight and that I could help the team win.”
Impact captain Mauro Biello and Rocco Placentino were back from injuries. Biello entered the game at the 62nd minute after having missed the last eight games, following an ankle injury, whereas Placentino replaced Brillant at the 79th minute after missing eleven games following a knee injury.
Midfielder David Testo was absent due to a one-game suspension, after receiving two yellow cards against Real Estelí.
Note that in the group phase, the Impact will play a total of six games (three at home and three on the road) against Atlante FC (Mexico), CD Olimpia (Honduras) and Joe Public FC (Trinidad & Tobago).
The Impact will play its next game in the CONCACAF Champions League Wednesday, September 24 against Atlante FC, at Saputo Stadium (8 pm: Radio-Canada.ca/sports, bold TV, CBCSports.ca, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990; 11:45 pm: Radio-Canada; 12:00 am: CBC).
Meanwhile, the Impact will play its last two regular season games, in Minnesota against the Thunder (8 pm, USLlive.com), then Sunday, against the Puerto Rico Islanders, at Saputo Stadium (7:30 pm, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).
HIGHLIGHTS
20th minute – After dribbling the ball over a few meters on the left wing, forward Peter Byers took a low cross that Figueroa deflected with his hand, after diving to his left.
48th minute – After accepting a deep pass from Tony Donatelli, midfielder Joey Gjertsen fired a point blank shot directly on the goalie.
54th minute – Joe Public forward Gregory Richardson took a low point blank shot, but Impact keeper Matt Jordan dove to the ground to make the save.
85th minute –Joe Public defender Keyeno Thomas took a point blank shot but Jordan made the save by deflecting the ball over the net.
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AT SAPUTO
-30-
Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
