“It feels good because as a team, we needed a win,” said Marc Dos Santos, who registered his first win as head coach. “We needed the three points to go up in the standings. At halftime, I told them to stay patient and that goals were going to come. We have a fantastic group and I’m very happy for the players.”
Forward Roberto Brown opened the score at the 51st minute of play. Following a cross from Stephen deRoux, Brown took advantage of a partially blocked ball by Aztex goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo, scoring his first goal of the season in an empty goal.
The Impact doubled its lead at the 57th minute. DeRoux weaved his way through the Austin defense on the left flank, made a pass to Brown who finally relayed it to Joey Gjertsen. The midfielder scored his second goal of the season with a point blank shot that beat the goalkeeper with a shot near the post.
“The coach told me to go out there and play my best,” said midfielder Stephen deRoux, who prepared the first two goals of the match. “I went out there and played my game. I am happy to have helped my teammates win the game today.”
Following a poorly cleared ball from the Aztex defense, midfielder Tony Donatelli netted the third goal at the 62nd minute. On the sequence, Donatelli made a high cannon left-footed shot from about 20 meters out.
Simon Gatti scored the last goal of the game in the 89th minute. Rocco Placentino, who had started his run from before the midfield line, gave the ball to Gatti inside the box. Gatti scored with a left-footed one timer that hit the crossbar before entering the net.
“A win like this is very satisfying and good for team morale,” said Simon Gatti, who scored his first career goal with the Impact. “I had a feeling that I was going to score today and it happened. I hope that it’s the beginning of a winning streak for us.”
"We had to reach this level, but it’s not yet perfect,” added Dos Santos. “I think that we could have kept on attacking in the last ten minutes. We have to continue working.”
Impact goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic made his career debut with the Impact. He faced seven shots to get his first win. This was his fourth victory and fifth shutout in his USL D1 career.
It was the first time since August 26, 1998 that the Impact scored four goals in the same half.
Various regular players were absent from the starting lineup: goalkeeper Matt Jordan, defender Nevio Pizzolitto, midfielders Rocco Placentino and Sandro Grande, as well as forward Eduardo Sebrango.
Defender Nevio Pizzollito nonetheless made an early entrance in the game, replacing Cédric Joqueviel in the 11th minute. Joqueviel suffered a strain to the right thigh.
Note that Impact defender Zanzan has been selected on Togo’s National Team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Togo will play two games: against Gabon, June 6, and then against Morocco, June 20.
The Montreal Impact will play its next game against the Vancouver Whitecaps this Wednesday at Saputo Stadium in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, at 8 pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).
HIGHLIGHTS
23rd minute – Forward Roberto Brown received Joey Gjertsen's pass behind the defense and went on a breakaway but goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo dove to Brown's feet to make the save.
47th minute – After a pass from forward Tony Donatelli, David Testo took a strong shot just outside the penalty box that sailed over the Aztex goal.
73rd minute – Forward Peter Byers took advantage of a long deep pass to break away against Gallardo, who dove to the ground to contain the Impact's strike.
NEXT GAMES
• Wednesday, May 20 – Vancouver @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 8 pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Wednesday, May 27 – IMPACT @ Vancouver – Swangard Stadium – 10:30 pm (Sportsnet)
• Saturday, May 30 – IMPACT @ Rochester – Paetec Park – 7:35 pm (USLlive.com)
•Thursday, June 4 – IMPACT @ Portland – PGE Park – 10 pm (USLlive.com)
*Nutrilite Canadian Championship
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AT SAPUTO STADIUM
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (Ext. 227)
