Impact Playoff Run Ends
Published on October 17, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
CARY, North Carolina - In the second leg of its semi-final series, the Montreal Impact was shut out 2-0 by the Carolina RailHawks on Sunday, at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, and as a result, Montreal has been eliminated from the playoffs by an aggregate score of 2-1.
The RailHawks scored the game's first goal in the 72nd minute. As a result of a free kick from about 40 meters out from the left side of goal, goalkeeper Matt Jordan made the first save by diving to his left after the ball deflected off of two players. However, the rebound bounced to midfielder Matt Watson who redirected the ball to defender Bad Rusin, scoring into an empty net from inside the six-yard box.
RailHawks forward Tom Heinemann then scored the series winning goal in the 90th minute. Following a turnover, Matt Watson made a long pass into Impact territory, where Heinemann beat Jordan one-on-one with a hard shot into the top corner.
Forward Marco Terminesi thought he had the series equalizer in extra time, but the goal was called back due to an offside.
"We are very disappointed that the game ended unjustly because of bad decisions on the last two goals," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Once again, the game between the two teams was very tight. We were so close to a place in the finals. I would have traded many of our latest victories for a win tonight."
Midfielder Patrick Leduc, who started his first game of the playoffs, hit the crossbar with a bicycle kick following a corner taken by Philippe Billy in the 26th minute. Leduc then hit the post a second time in the 62nd minute when he headed the ball, which came from a corner kick by Leonardo Di Lorenzo. Leduc left the game in the 84th minute after injuring his right knee.
Midfielder Anthony Le Gall was replaced by Pierre-Rudolph Mayard in the 68th minute after he also injured his knee.
Midfielder Antonio Ribeiro (thigh) and David Testo (calf) were unavailable for the game due to injury.
Defender Adam Braz became the third Impact player to reach the 2,000 minutes played plateau for his career in the playoffs, following Nevio Pizzolitto (2,770 minutes) and Mauro Biello (2,516 minutes).
"We are disappointed with the result because we deserved better tonight. It's difficult to accept but I am proud of my teammates," said Braz.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
8the minute - Following a deflection by Etienne Barbara, Tom Heindemann headed the ball on net forcing Jordan to make a diving save to his left.
16th minute - Defender Brad Rusin headed the ball from a corner kick toward the far post, but Jordan corralled the ball to his left with no rebound.
41st minute - Tom Heinemann fired a shot from just inside the 18-yard box where Jordan, throwing himself onto the ground, made the save.
52nd minute - RailHawks midfielder Matt Watson fired a one-timer that skimmed the crossbar.
59th minute - A short cross by Leonardo Di Lorenzo almost ended up in the RailHawks goal when a defender headed the ball just over his team's crossbar.
87th minute - A free-kick by Di Lorenzo from about 20 meters out just missed on the left side of RailHawks goal.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from October 17, 2010
- Whitecaps FC Eliminated in Extra Time - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Impact Playoff Run Ends - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks Reach Championship Final with 2-0 Win Over Montreal - North Carolina FC
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