Palace Baltimore Withstands Impact

Published on July 18, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release


Crystal Palace Baltimore picked up a huge win away from home Sunday afternoon, as they defeated the Montreal Impact, 2-1, in front of a sellout crowd at Saputo Stadium.

The home side wasted little time getting on the scoresheet, as Leonardo Di Lorenzo blasted home a shot past goalkeeper Evan Bush just three minutes into the contest. In the final minute of the first half, Gary Brooks leveled the score with a fierce strike from 25 yards out. Baltimore secured the three points after a shot from Shaun Pejic deflected off Andrew Marshall and into the net midway through the second half.

Montreal began the match with two early attempts on goal. Two minutes in, Phillippe Billy managed to get a shot off from just inside the box, but Baltimore goalkeeper Evan Bush saw the shot all the way, and managed to hang on for the save. Bush would not be as lucky one minute later, as Leonardo Di Lorenzo stripped the ball from Dan Lader, and roofed a shot from seven yards out into the top half of the net, giving the Impact a 1-0 advantage.

Baltimore almost answered with a goal of their own in the 7th minute, as a quick throw from Paul Robson found Gary Brooks inside the box. The Jamaican striker connected on a brilliantly timed bicycle kick, but he missed the back of the net by mere inches. Five minutes later, Takuro Nishimura maneuvered around a couple of Montreal defenders, and managed to get off a shot from 20 yards that just sailed over the crossbar.

In the 17th minute, the Impact nearly had their second goal of the afternoon, but Billy's intended cross for Reda Agourram was well cleared by Andrew Marshall. Billy set up another probing Montreal attack in the 27th minute. His free kick from 35 yards out had to be turned aside by Bush, and the ball was up for grabs in the penalty area. The ball skittered about for a few seconds before Bush was able to scoop it up.

Montreal continued to press late in the first half. An effort from David Testo was sent wide of the target, while a nice one-two passing display between Agourram and Tony Donatelli ended with a shot that was well handled by Bush.

With two minutes to play in the first half, Baltimore was finally able to put some pressure back on the home side. Mathew Mbuta sent in a cross towards Tsuyoshi Yoshitake on the edge of the box. With no one surrounding him, Yoshitake should have done better with his finish; instead, he blasted his shot well over the bar. In the final minute, Baltimore finally got their equalizer. Andrew Marshall intercepted the ball from a Montreal defender, and was able to deliver a short pass to Gary Brooks. From 25 yards away, Brooks unleashed a fierce strike into the top left corner of the goal, freezing Montreal goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic to level the contest at 1-1.

The start of the second half again saw the Impact receive the better offensive opportunities. Five minutes in, substitute Ali Gerba found space to shoot from 25 yards, but his weak effort was easily saved by Bush. In the 57th minute, Agourram made a nice turn and fired at goal, but his shot went wide right. On the hour, Yoshitake had a chance to give the visitors the lead, as he closed in unchallenged towards goal. His shot from just inside the 18-yard box was brilliantly saved by Djekanovic.

A free kick in the 65th minute would set the stage for Baltimore's second goal. Neto's delivery rebounded off the Impact defensive line, and the ball found the feet of Shaun Pejic. Pejic's shot took a deflection off of Andrew Marshall, and the ball slipped past Djekanovic to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

With 15 minutes to play, Montreal nearly netted a second goal of their own, but a header from Gerba was just off target. Baltimore's Gary Brooks then led an immediate counter attack down the field. After beating two defenders, Brooks fired a shot from 20 yards out, but Djekanovic did well to get his fingertips to the ball, denying Brooks his second goal of the match.

As the clock passed 80 minutes, the Impact knew that crunch time was upon them, and they made every effort to get the tying goal. Eduardo Sebrango sent a cross in to Donatelli, who managed to get a shot away, but Bush again handled well for the save. In the 84th minute, a Montreal corner was headed down by Hicham Aaboubou, but no Impact player could get a touch on the ball, and Bush managed to smother it.

Baltimore felt they were denied a penalty in the 87th, as Mbuta appeared to be taken down inside the box on a counter attack. However, referee David Barrie saw no foul, and the game continued on. In the final minute of regulation, Bush again had to show off his terrific reflexes on a shot from Patrick Leduc. The defender's 30-yard blast was palmed away by the Baltimore goalkeeper just before six minutes of stoppage time were announced.

In the first extra minute, Filipe Soares saw a chance to strike, but his optimistic effort went sailing into the stands. Baltimore almost wrapped up the game two minutes later, as a cross from Mathew Mbuta was chested down by Yaikel Perez. Perez attempted to chip the ball over Djekanovic, but he couldn't get a strong foot under the ball. Montreal's last glimmer of hope came in the sixth additional minute, but a long-distance shot by Billy was fired well over the net, as Baltimore held on for the 2-1 win.

Baltimore's record improves to 5-8-4 after their fourth road win of the season. With 19 points, Baltimore is now just one point adrift of the eighth and final playoff spot in USSF Division 2. The team returns home to Maryland SoccerPlex on Saturday, July 24th, for a 3:00 match against A.C. St. Louis.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 18, 2010


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