Impact Draw Vancouver, 1-1
Published on May 26, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact played to a 1-1 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Wednesday, at Saputo Stadium, in its last Nutrilite Canadian Championship match. The Vancouver Whitecaps have also been eliminated from the tournament, making Toronto FC the champion team for a second straight year. "There's always good rivalry between both teams and we once again experienced it this evening," declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "The match was very important for Vancouver, so we wanted to ensure fair play on the field by following the best practices. We experienced a difficult first half, but we came back stronger after the second half."
The Whitecaps opened the score at the 50th minute. Following Wes Knight's cross coming from the right flank, Greg Janicki deflected the ball, that was then tipped by Nelson Akwari. Midfielder Ansu Toure thereafter fired a strong low shot to the far post at the edge of the 18-yard box, beating goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic to his left.
Philippe Billy scored his first career goal with the Impact at the 62nd minute. On the left flank, Rocco Placentino gave the ball to Eduardo Sebrango, who fell and centered the ball for Billy, who found himself alone in the 18-yard box. Billy blasted a powerful shot to the far post, to the left of goalkeeper Jay Nolly.
"The team's goal is not to lose at home in front of our fans, so I'm happy to have been useful tonight," declared Billy. "I'm very happy to have scored, especially that it doesn't happen often in my case. We created a great sequence as a team and this allowed me to score my first goal. All the guys were happy, which shows that there's currently a good spirit within the team."
Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic, who faced a total of 18 shots, notably stood out at the 9th minute by stopping a point blank shot from striker Cornelius Stewart.
Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly deflected two point blank shots from Rocco Placentino, at the 82nd minute and in second half stoppage time.
The Impact ends the 3rd edition of the tournament by foregoing a qualification in the CONCACAF Champions League, with two losses and two draws.
This was the third match between both teams this year. Both clubs will face off against each other again on June 30 at Saputo Stadium, in a regular season game.
Even if the tournament outcome is already known, Vancouver will match up against Toronto FC on June 2 at BMO Field, in the 6th and final competition match.
The Impact will play a friendly match against FC Edmonton, an expansion team that will join the league in 2011. The game will be played at Foote Field, in Edmonton, on June 16. The majority of players who will take part in the match will be Academy players.
The Impact will play its next match this Sunday versus the Carolina RailHawks at Saputo Stadium (2 pm, Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990). Montreal will then face prestigious Italian club AC Milan, on June 2, at Olympic Stadium. AC Milan lost 3-2 Wednesday night versus DC United (MLS).
Tickets for the Montreal Impact can be purchased through Admission (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com) and at the Saputo Stadium ticketing office.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
16th minute - After accepting a deep pass, midfielder Rocco Placentino made his way through two defenders before taking a shot at the edge of the 18-yard box, but goalkeeper Jay Nolly dove to his left to make the save.
49th minute - Following a long throw-in deflected in front of the goal, defender Stefano Pesoli prevented Greg Janicki from taking a shot.
THE NEXT THREE MATCHES:
* Sunday, May 30 - Carolina @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 2 pm (Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
* Wednesday, June 2 - AC Milan @ IMPACT - Olympic Stadium - 8 pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990; en différé Ã Radio-Canada) *
* Sunday, June 6 - Miami @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 2 pm (Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
* International match
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from May 26, 2010
- Whitecaps Earn 1-1 Draw - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Impact Draw Vancouver, 1-1 - Montreal Impact
- Aztex Increase League Lead to Five Points - Austin Aztex
- Stoppage Time Goal by Paladini Gives RailHawks 2-1 Win over Puerto Rico - North Carolina FC
- Miami FC Suffers First Loss of the Season - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Rowdies Back to Back Home Games Against Minnesota and Puerto Rico - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Timbers Play Host To Argentina's Boca Juniors Saturday - Portland Timbers
- Whitecaps FC Women Bolster Team With Three More Canadian Internationals - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Palace Baltimore to Hold Youth Sports Appreciation Night - Crystal Palace Baltimore
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