Impact notches 2-1 victory over Vancouver

June 20, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release


MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact (4-4-2) signed a 2-1 win (halftime 2-0) against the Vancouver Whitecaps (4-5-2), Saturday, in front of 12,287 spectators, at Saputo Stadium. "Following the game on Thursday, we wanted to obtain a good result and get the three points," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We knew that it was going to be tough against Vancouver, but I saw a team with character this afternoon. Players need to understand that we need to stick together to get good results. It wasn't easy to play two games in 48 hours. Now, we need to keep on working."

Impact midfielder Rocco Placentino opened the score at the 34th minute of play. From inside the box, forward Roberto Brown made a pass on the left side for Placentino, who then beat Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly to his left. Placentino scored his second goal of the season with a shot that went off the far post before entering the net.

"It is my Mom's birthday," said Placentino. "We knew we had to bounce back and it went well. It was an important match for us and it was a matter of respect for the fans. We knew that they were coming here to win and that they would be aggressive."

Brown (39th) doubled Montreal's lead less than five minutes later. Near the goal line, Placentino made a cross to the ground for Brown on the six-yard area line. Standing alone in front of the goal, Brown turned before beating Nolly with a shot that found the top of the net.

Whitecaps forward Marlon James narrowed the Impact's lead at the 63rd minute. On a cross from midfielder Vicente Arze, lightly deflected by Impact defender Stefano Pesoli, James took a point blank shot that left no chance to goalkeeper Matt Jordan.

Jordan registered his third win this season, after facing 17 shots and making 8 saves. Jordan made a notable save in stoppage time of the second half. Following a cross from James, Jordan saved forward Dever Orgill's header by diving to his right.

"We had to make a statement and that's what we did today," said Jordan. "Obviously we are having up and downs and we need to have consistency. It's a good start and we need to build on this."

Central defender Stefano Pesoli, who had played 39 minutes against Toronto, started his first season game Saturday.

Central defender Nevio Pizzolitto, who did not play Thursday, was on the starting lineup against Vancouver.

Coach Dos Santos had put seven new players on the starting lineup compared to Thursday's game.

With this victory, the Impact is now tied in 5th position with the Whitecaps and the Rhinos in the USL First Division standings.

The Impact registered only one loss in its last six regular season games (4-1-1).

The Impact now owns a 2-2-0 record in four games against Vancouver in 2009. Both teams will meet again at Saputo Stadium, September 9.

Rocco Placentino is now ranked second in points the USL Fist Division with nine points (2-5-9).



USL First Division Stories from June 20, 2009


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