Montreal Impact News Release - www.montrealimpact.com
Saturday, October 10, 2009
BURNABY, BC -- A goal from forward Eduardo Sebrango at the 89th minute allowed the Montreal Impact (5th) to register a 3-2 win against the Vancouver Whitecaps (7th) Saturday at Swangard Stadium, in Burnaby, thereby taking the first leg of the two-match championship final of the USL-1.
In the last moments of the game, midfielder Rocco Placentino fired a powerful left-foot shot that goalkeeper Jay Nolly blocked, then Sebrango jumped on the rebound to register his first career goal in a championship final.
“When I entered the game, I looked at the clock to see how much time was left and I told myself there were enough minutes to score,” declared Sebrango, who played the last 20 minutes of the game. “It’s an incredible feeling to score such an important goal. Both teams wanted to win tonight. It was a strange game, but what counts is the one-goal lead that we have taken tonight.”
“The result tonight is extremely positive,” noted Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “At worst, we wanted to leave Vancouver with a draw, but a win is even better. We showed a lot of character by scoring a third goal, after they equalized twice. We definitely deserve the win tonight. ”
The Impact opened the scoring in the 45th minute. Defender Stephen deRoux outplayed midfielder Wes Knight on the left flank, then crossed towards the 6-yard area for forward Roberto Brown, but Whitecaps defender Shaun Pejic deflected the ball unintentionally to the left of goalkeeper Jay Nolly.
Following a turnover in midfield, Whitecaps forward Marcus Haber dribbled over 50 meters, outplayed the Impact defense and scored at the 56th minute with a shot to the far post inside the box that beat goalkeeper Matt Jordan to the left of the goal to equalize 1-1.
Forward Peter Byers scored in the 63rd minute the second goal of the match for the Impact, his second in the playoffs. Byers accepted a long pass from Adam Braz behind the Whitecaps defense. Alone on a breakaway, Byers defeated Jay Nolly with a low point blank shot on the near side.
Marlon James equalized once again for Vancouver at the 66th minute. Following a weakly cleared ball by the Montreal defense, midfielder Wes Knight crossed inside the 18-yard box, then James, who had replaced Charles Gbeke at the 45th minute, deflected the ball with a header and beat Matt Jordan to his left.
The Impact played with a one-man advantage after the 51st minute, after midfielder Martin Nash was ejected for having tackled from behind forward Roberto Brown, in retribution for a previous tackle from Brown seconds earlier. Nash will miss the second leg game of the final due to an automatic one-game suspension.
“Even if you have a one-player advantage, it’s not easy to adapt,” declared team captain Mauro Biello, who is seeking a third championship title with the Impact. “The Whitecaps wanted to win as much as we did and they continued pushing. The game was tough, but we are very happy with the result.”
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan registered a 5th win since the start of the playoffs after facing nine shots.
In the second half, Roberto Brown hit the post twice. At the 61st minute, from the penalty spot, Brown hit the post to the left of Jay Nolly. Ten minutes later, Brown hit the crossbar, after accepting a cross from Stephen deRoux.
Montreal will set its sights on a third championship, after winning the title in 1994 and 2004. The decisive match of the final will be played next Saturday, at 2:30 pm at Saputo Stadium (Radio-Canada Television, Fox Sports World, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).
Doors will open at 12:30 pm for a tailgate party, featuring animation, music and prizes. A bandana autographed by all Impact players will be offered to the first 5,000 spectators. A special edition championship scarf will also be on sale at the boutique.
Tickets for the final match are currently on sale and available through Admission (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com), at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office or at 514-328-3668 (group packages only).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
8th minute – On a cross from Leonardo Di Lorenzo that goalkeeper Jay Nolly lightly cleared, forward Roberto Brown took a volley shot that sailed above the Whitecaps goal.
10th minute – On a short pass from Peter Byers to Roberto brown, followed by a backpass for Leonardo Di Lorenzo, the Argentinean midfielder took a low shot that went to the right of the Whitecaps goal.
18th minute – On a cross from Charles Gbeke from the left flank, defender Luca Bellisomo unleashed a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box that went to the right of the Impact goal.
38th minute – Leonardo Di Lorenzo took a 35-meter free kick that Roberto Brown deflected with the head just to the right of the Whitecaps goal.
44th minute – Following a deep pass from Tony Donatelli, forward Peter Byers outplayed defender Takashi Hirano and fired a point blank shot that went directly on the chest of the Whitecaps goalkeeper, who did not give away the rebound.
