Impact Concludes Camp with 3-0 Win over FC Dallas
Published on March 2, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Montreal Impact News Release
PHOENIX, Arizona ¬" The Montreal Impact concluded its training camp in Arizona with a 3-0 shutout victory over FC Dallas, last season ¬â¢s MLS playoff runners-up, Wednesday, at Reach 11 Complex, near Phoenix.
Ali Gerba (21st minute), Luke Kreamalmeyer (53rd minute) and Idriss Ech Chergui (76th minute) scored the three goals in the club ¬â¢s first win against Major Soccer League competition. Goalkeepers Bill Gaudette and Evan Bush shared the shutout.
¬ÅWe got the feeling that in the first two games, we made a few mistakes that cost us the victory. We were close to getting a good result, ¬Â said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. ¬ÅWe deserve to return home on a good note. The team was rewarded tonight as a result of all their hard work in camp. ¬Â
Forward Ali Gerba opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Following a through ball from Luke Kreamalmeyer behind the Dallas defense, Gerba passed the goalkeeper and put the ball into an empty net.
¬ÅThe whole team worked hard to get the win tonight, ¬Â said Gerba. ¬ÅWe are finding our form and reflexes. We just need to continue to work and good results will follow. ¬Â
Kreamalmeyer then doubled the Impact ¬â¢s lead in the 53rd minute. Following a cross originating from the left side of Dallas ¬â¢ zone from defender Zurab Tsiskaridze, Gerba hit the post with a low shot, then the goalkeeper stopped a subsequent shot from Pierre-Rudolph Mayard. On the rebound, Kreamalmeyer fired the ball past the goal line from just inside from the entrance of the 18-yard box.
¬ÅI am starting to feel more comfortable with the team and I was simply at the right place at the right moment when I scored, ¬Â said Kreamalmeyer. ¬ÅThe team proved a lot with today ¬â¢s win. Everyone played well and we deserved this result. ¬Â
Newcomer Idriss Ech Chergui scored the insurance goal in the 76th minute. Ech Chergui received a pass from midfielder Anthony Le Gall, then from inside the six-yard box, beat the goalkeeper with a low shot to the opposite side of the net.
Ech Chergui almost scored a second goal with a header in the 83rd minute, but hit the post following a corner kick that reached him standing near the first post.
The club will return to Montreal on Thursday. After taking a week off, the team will resume training on March 14 at the Bell Sports Complex, in Brossard.
Montreal kicks off the 18th season in club history on April 9 in Tampa Bay and will play its home opener at Saputo Stadium on April 23, once again versus Tampa Bay.
Season tickets are currently available through the club ¬â¢s website and through the club ¬â¢s ticket office, by calling 514-328-3668. All 2011 season ticket holders will automatically be granted priority on their seats for Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2012.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
18th minute ¬" Following a turnover, FC Dallas midfielder Bruno Guarda hit the crossbar with a shot from about 30 meters out.
82nd minute - Anthony Le Gall hit a onetime volley that originated from Ech Chergui, but the goalkeeper made a good save diving to his left.
North American Soccer League Stories from March 2, 2011
- Impact Concludes Camp with 3-0 Win over FC Dallas - Montreal Impact
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