Impact Shut Out by RailHawks, 2-0

May 30, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release


MONTREAL - The Impact completed a nine-game sequence in 30 days in May, with a first loss in six regular season matches. Montreal lost 2-0 against the Carolina RailHawks, Sunday, in front of 13,034 spectators, at Saputo Stadium. The RailHawks opened the score at the 20th minute. Following a deep pass from defender David Hayes, forward Etienne Barbara went in alone on a breakaway and beat Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan with a low shot.

The RailHawks then scored the insurance goal at the 90th minute when Andry Budnyy also went out on a breakaway before beating Jordan with a low shot to the far post to his right.

"We were threatening and we managed to control the ball," declared Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "However, defensive errors cost us the match. The RailHawks are physically strong, but I think that we were a better team on the field. We will now need to work in order to obtain more results offensively."

The RailHawks, which were playing their second match of a four-game sequence on the road, remain undefeated this season when playing abroad.

Team captain Nevio Pizzolitto reached the 20,000 minutes played mark in regular season play with the Impact. He became the 2nd player from the club to reach this record after Mauro Biello (25,288 minutes). Defender Adam Braz also reached the 10,000 minutes played match becoming the 10th player in Impact history to reach this mark.

"We came out with good intentions and we were well prepared, but we lacked intensity," declared Pizzolitto. "We battled on the field and we succeeded in creating opportunities, but we did not manage to make something out of them. May has been a difficult month with nine matches slated."

The game was played in front of a sellout crowd for the second time this season, all 13,034 tickets having been sold.

This is the first of four season matches between both NASL division rivals. Both teams will match up again on June 26 in Cary, on July 14 at Saputo Stadium, and on August 7, once again in North Carolina.

"We gave everything we had, but we were unable to achieve the desired outcome," mentioned midfielder Philippe Billy, selected Setanta Sports Player of the Match. "The RailHawks were very well organized on the field. We are going to work now to prepare our upcoming matches, including Wednesday's matchup against AC Milan. It's a great team, so it will be a good experience for us. It will be a historic game for Montreal."

The Impact will play its next match against Serie A Italian club AC Milan this Wednesday, June 2, at Olympic Stadium (8 pm, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990; on a tape-delayed basis at midnight, Radio-Canada television).

The Milanese club will arrive in Montreal on Monday at 6 pm and will hold a training session at Saputo Stadium on Tuesday at 7 pm. More than 30,000 tickets have up to now been sold for this historic match.

Tickets for Impact games can be purchased through Admission (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com), as well as at the ticketing offices of Saputo Stadium and Olympic Stadium.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

9th minute - Following a turnover in Impact territory, RailHawks midfielder Josh Gardner fired a low shot inside the 18-yard box, but Matt Jordan managed the save by diving to his left.

64th minute - From the six-yard line, midfielder David Testo accepted Filipe Soares' cross and took a left-footed volley shot that goalkeeper Eric Reed stopped with his left hand.

69th minute - Impact midfielder Tony Donatelli deflected with his head Nevio Pizzolitto's pass, just to the right of the RailHawks goal.

THE NEXT 3 MATCHES:

- Wednesday, June 2 - AC Milan @ IMPACT - Olympic Stadium - 8 pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990; on a tape delayed basis at midnight on Radio-Canada) *

- Sunday, June 6 - Miami @ IMPACT - Saputo Stadium - 2 pm (Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)

- Wednesday, June 9 - IMPACT @ Minnesota - National Sports Center - 8 pm (nscminnesota.org)

* International match



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from May 30, 2010


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