Impact win third consecutive game
Published on August 27, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Montreal Impact News Release
BLAINE, Minnesota - Midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic scored twice, helping the Impact win a third consecutive game by shutout, this time by a 2-0 score against the Minnesota Stars, Saturday, at the National Sports Center, in Blaine, Minnesota.
Following a loss from both the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and FC Edmonton tonight, the Impact is now closer to a playoff spot. With five games to play this season, the Impact is now only three points behind the Strikers, who are holding on to the sixth and final playoff spot. The team is also only four points from fourth place, currently held by Edmonton and Minnesota.
The Impact took the lead early in the game, at the sixth minute of play. On the sequence, midfielder Ryan Pore sent a ball behind the Stars defence to Simon Gatti, who then centered the ball to Sinisa Ubiparipovic at the entrance of the 18-yard box. The Serbian player beat goalkeeper Joe Warren to his left, in the upper corner of the net.
Ubiparipovic then scored his second goal of the game at the 72nd minute. During a five-on-two counterattack, defender Hassoun Camara gave the ball to Ubiparipovic, who lobed the ball over Warren.
Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush registered his sixth shutout of the season.
"We did an excellent job overall. We had the right mindset from the start of the game and we managed the game very well," said Impact head coach and sporting director Nick De Santis. "We got an early goal and we created some opportunities during the whole game. Sinisa scored two great goals but it was another team effort. We did well again defensively and we were strong enough not to give them anything. This win puts us on the right path for the next two away games. It gives us confidence and it tells us that we can win on the road as well."
In the first minute, defender Cameron Knowles tested the Stars goalkeeper with a header, following a corner from midfielder Ian Westlake.
At the 22nd minute, Ubiparipovic sent a long ball to Pore, who dribbled for several meters before facing 1-on-1 the Stars goalkeeper, who then made the save.
The Stars had their best scoring opportunity at the 66th minute. Following a corner, Stars defender Kyle Altman headed a ball just a few inches over the Impact goal.
Midfielder David Testo returned to the pitch after missing three games due to a groin injury. He replaced Ubiparipovic at the 79th minute.
The Impact also recorded its first win in Minnesota since August 31, 1997, improving its all-time record to 2-7-2.
It was the fourth and last game between both teams this season. Last Saturday at Saputo Stadium, the Impact had shut out the Stars with an identical 2-0 score.
The Impact will play its following game against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, on Sept. 3, at 7:30pm, at Lockhart Stadium, in Florida. (strikers.com)
North American Soccer League Stories from August 27, 2011
- Quintero red card, Barbara hat trick headline wild game - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Impact win third consecutive game - Montreal Impact
- Strikers Lose; Maintain Playoff Position - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Stars Fall to Montreal 2-0 - Minnesota United FC
- Barbara Hat Trick Sinks Atlanta - North Carolina FC
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