Impact earn a 2-2 tie with the Carolina RailHawks
Published on June 26, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
CARY, North Carolina - A goal by Tony Donatelli in added time helped the Montreal Impact (4-3-5) earn a 2-2 tie against the Carolina RailHawks (3-2-6) Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park, in Cary. The Impact remains in second place in the NASL division, two points ahead of the RailHawks.
The games four goals were all scored in the final 30 minutes of the match. With the Railhawks ahead 2-0, Impact midfielder Simon Gatti, who replaced Filipe Soares only five minutes prior, scored in the 75th minute, marking the 600th regular season goal in franchise history.
Standing near the far post, Gatti scored his first goal of the season, and the second of his career with the Impact, after heading a Leonardo Di Lorenzo cross passed the RailHawks goalkeeper, earning Di Lorenzo his first point of the season.
Donatelli then tied the game on a penalty shot taken during the final seconds of the match following a handball foul committed by striker Sallieu Bundu in the 18-yard box. Donatelli scored his second goal of the season from the spot, beating keeper Eric Reed, who dove the wrong way, with a low shot to his left side.
"I think we played very well tonight," said Donatelli, who is currently the Impact points leader with three goals and eight points. "We controlled the rhythm of the game and we had the majority of the possession. We showed a lot of character coming from behind to earn a point against a division rival."
"We were by far the better team on the pitch tonight, with multiple scoring opportunities," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We were strong tactically in adapting to the context of the game. While it was 2-0, we adjusted our system by playing with only three defenders. Our players adapted well, and we took advantage of the risks we were taking near the end of the game."
Striker Sallieu Bundu (61st minute) and midfielder Floyd Frank (73rd minute) scored the two goals for Carolina. Bundu scored with a header near the second post off of a free kick by defender David Hayes, while Franks scored from a penalty.
The Railhawks extend its unbeaten streak to six regular season games.
Impact striker Eduardo Sebrango left the game in the 11th minute after injuring his groin. He was replaced by forward Roberto Brown.
Goalkeeper Matt Jordan (groin), as well as defenders Stefano Pesoli (toe) and Hicham Aaboubou (personal reasons) were unavailable for the game.
The division rivals will meet again on July 14 at Saputo Stadium, and then again on August 7 in North Carolina.
The Impact plays its next game on Wednesday, June 30, when the Vancouver Whitecaps visit Saputo Stadium. Tickets are still available for the game via the Admission box office (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com), or at the Saputo Stadium ticket office.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 26, 2010
- Eddie Johnson's Offense Lifts Aztex Over Rival Miami FC - Austin Aztex
- Miami FC Suffers Home Loss to Aztex as Team Prepares to Face Dymano - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Impact earn a 2-2 tie with the Carolina RailHawks - Montreal Impact
- Two Second Half Goals Lead Stars to Victory - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Impact Draw RailHawks 2-2 in Stoppage Time - North Carolina FC
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