Impact Break Streak, Win on the Road
June 12, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
TAMPA BAY - The Montreal Impact (4-3-3) played to a 2-1 victory (0-0 at halftime), Saturday, against the Tampa Bay Rowdies (5-3-3), at George Steinbrenner Stadium, in Florida, ending a three-game winless streak.
After a scoreless first half, both teams had various scoring chances in the second half. Impact striker Peter Byers opened the scoring in the 49th minute. Following a pass from Roberto Brown behind the Rowdies defense, Byers beat goalkeeper Daryl Sattler with a low shot to score his first goal of the season and his 8th career goal.
The Impact doubled its lead in the 66th minute. After receiving a pass from midfielder Tony Donatelli, forward Roberto Brown pivoted on the penalty spot before releasing a precise low shot. This also was his first goal of the season and 13th career goal with the Impact.
The Rowdies reduced the lead in the 70th minute. Forward Aaron King took a precise shot that left no chance to Impact goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic.
"This win is one that does a lot of good," declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "The players showed a lot of character. We were under a lot of pressure tonight because it was a must win situation and it is satisfying that both goals were scored by forwards. We knew it was a mater of time that the goals would start to come."
Djekanovic ended the game with many key saves. He notably made important saves in the second half against forward Aaron Wheeler.
"The game was not easy playing on their small field," added Dos Santos. "They put all their balls into our box, but Serge (Djekanovic) made big saves to keep us in the game."
Before the game, Tampa Bay was in second place in the league standings. The Rowdies were also in second place for goals scored, with 17.
Tampa Bay is one of the three new expansion teams this year to join the league. The two teams will meet for the first time in Montreal on September 19, at Saputo Stadium.
The team will be back in Montreal Sunday. The Impact will then play its next match on June 20 at Saputo Stadium against the Rochester Rhinos (2pm, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
10th minute - Roberto Brown unleashed a shot across the penalty area but the Rowdies goalkeeper dove to his right to make the save.
17th minute - Forward Peter Byers took a shot that hit the post to the left of goalkeeper Daryl Sattler.
61st minute - Following a centering pass from Leonardo Di Lorenzo, forward Roberto Brown took a header that went just wide over the Rowdies net.
80th minute - Forward Aaron Wheeler headed a corner kick directly off the crossbar.
NEXT THREE MATCHES
- Sunday, June 20 - Rochester @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 2pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
- Saturday, June 26 - IMPACT @ Carolina - WakeMed Soccer Park - 7pm (carolinarailhawks.com)
- Wednesday, June 30 - Vancouver @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 12, 2010
- Whitecaps FC defeat Aztex - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Palace Falls 2-1 To Rochester - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Miami FC Shuts out Portland in 1-0 Victory to Move Forward in Standings - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Impact Break Streak, Win on the Road - Montreal Impact
- Timbers Dealt 1-0 Loss by Blues in Miami - Portland Timbers
- AC St. Louis Win in Puerto Rico - AC St. Louis
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