Impact Advances to USL-1 Final

October 4, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release


BAYAMON, Puerto Rico - The Montreal Impact (5th) advanced to the USL First Division final for the first time since 2004 by beating the Puerto Rico Islanders (3rd) 2-1 (4-2 on aggregate goals), Sunday, at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, in Bayamon, in the semifinal round.

"We are really happy. We have won here thanks to our character and passion," noted Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We were ready to suffer in Puerto Rico. We played like a team who continuously fought to win the match. We knew that we were going to be under pressure. We saw tonight two teams that wanted to win."

"It's been five years since we haven't advanced to the finals, it's fantastic," commented team captain Mauro Biello. "I think this team has grown in the second half of the season. Everyone was confident about the playoffs. After going through difficult moments like the loss against Santos Laguna, we showed a lot of courage and discipline."

The Impact opened the score in the 2nd minute of play with a goal from forward Peter Byers. Midfielder Joey Gjertsen, who missed the last two matches due to a lower body injury, went alone on a breakaway. His low point blank shot was stopped by goalkeeper Bill Gaudette, but Byers jumped on the rebound to score in an empty net.

The Islanders equalized at the 86th minute. Forward Josh Hansen netted the ball in the upper corner of the goal to the left of goalkeeper Matt Jordan.

Then forward Eduardo Sebrango scored the insurance goal of the series in stoppage time. Following a cross by midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo, who was at the edge of the penalty box on the left flank, Sebrango made a low strike from inside the six-yard area.

Matt Jordan set a new team record with seven career wins with the Impact in the playoffs. Jordan, who saved a total of 12 shots, notably stood out in the second half by saving point blank shots from defender John Krause at the 72nd minute and from forward Nicholas Addlery, less than two minutes later.

"I wanted to help the team the best I could," mentioned Jordan. "I take my hat off to my teammates and the coaching staff for preparing us amazingly well. They were warriors throughout the match and they deserve everything tonight. We did not sit back. We kept trying to score and that was what made the difference."

"It was a long match. We scored early so they put pressure on us the entire match," analyzed midfielder Patrick Leduc. "It's a very fast field, so it was hard to keep possession of the ball, but we defended our lead well. Matt Jordan played a great match with major saves in the second half. On our end, we had a couple of counterattacks and we succeeded in scoring a second goal."

Since the start of the playoffs, the Impact is undefeated in four matches. The Impact has now a lifetime record in the playoffs of 21-17-5 (56GF-44GA).

The Montreal Impact will face in the finals the Vancouver Whitecaps (7th) who defeated the Portland Timbers (1st) 5-4 on aggregate goals in the other USL-1 semifinal game. The final round this year will be decided in two games. Details will be determined at a later date.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

35th minute - Islanders defender Marco Velez executed a long throw-in, which was deflected with a header in front of the goal at the entrance of the six-yard area, then forward Fabrice Noel fired a volley shot on the crossbar.

52nd minute - Forward Nicholas Addlery took a free kick inside the box, just to the left of the Impact goal.

56th minute - Islanders forward Fabrice Noël lobbed a cross with his head, but Matt Jordan backtracked to recover the ball, near the goal line.

60th minute - Midfielder Tony Donatelli took the ball from defender Scott Jones, gave the ball to Peter Byers in the 18-yard area. Byers' shot was was stopped by Islanders goalkeeper who came out well to make the save.

65th minute - On a long ball cleared by Patrick Leduc, Donatelli made a pass to Roberto Brown, who went alone against Bill Gaudette, but the goalkeeper made a diving save.



USL First Division Stories from October 4, 2009


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