“The game tonight was fantastic, but this is not the end, because there is the second match in Mexico,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “The crowd was great and helped us get through. This being said, the toughest stretch is yet to come. This was our first competitive game under pressure and it was almost perfect. We managed to do what we wanted to do against them.”
Sebrango, who played his first game of the tournament, opened the score in the fifth minute of play. On the sequence, he shot upon reception a ball from Roberto Brown in the box. Sebrango beat Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez with a low left-footed shot, which grazed the post.
Sebrango doubled Montreal’s lead at the 77th minute. After a free kick taken by Nevio Pizzolitto, that was deflected by Brown with his head, Sebrango recovered the ball in the box and beat with a lob the Mexican goalie while he was out of his net.
“I was excited and confident coming into this match,” said Sebrango. “Brown and I really clicked together. This was a very important game for the team. For the upcoming game, we need to be organized defensively and go along as a team.”
Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan registered the shutout with eight saves. He notably stopped a 35-meter free kick from Pedro Quinonez at the 56th minute, diving to his right. A few minutes earlier, he also stood out at the expense of Santos Laguna forward Christian Benitez.
It was Jordan’s fifth shutout in the CONCACAF Champions League. He remains unbeaten in eight games.
Impact forward Roberto Brown came close to doubling the score at the 22nd minute. On the play, defender Adam Braz centered a ball, which Sebrango deviated with a header, before Brown deflected it himself. Sanchez recovered the ball above the crossbar.
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan, defenders Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Nevio Pizzolitto, Cédric Joqueviel and Adam Braz, midfielders Joey Gjertsen, David Testo, Sandro Grande and Rocco Placentino, as well as forwards Roberto Brown and Eduardo Sebrango, were on the Impact starting lineup.
Three injured players from the Impact did not take part in the game: captain Mauro Biello (clavicle), central defender Stefano Pesoli (knee) and defender Simon Gatti (thigh).
With 55,571 tickets sold, the Impact has set a new team and CONCACAF record.
The second and decisive game of the home-and-away aggregate goal series will be played Thursday, March 5, in Torreón, Mexico. In the meantime, the Impact will leave for Houston Friday to play an exhibition game against the MLS team, Saturday.
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
GAME SUMMARY
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
