Stoppage Time Goal Burns Impact
June 5, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Montreal Impact News Release
PORTLAND - The Montreal Impact (2-4-2) conceded the only goal of the game in stoppage time of the second half, losing 1-0 against the Portland Timbers (5-1-3) Thursday, at PGE Park in Portland.
"The Timbers played better than us tonight," noted Marc Dos Santos, who registered his first loss as interim head coach. "Even though they did not get great scoring chances, they were more dangerous. We knew that details were going to be important tonight. We had worked on the free kicks because we knew that they could hurt us. We did everything we could to get a few points here, but we fell in the last minute."
The Timbers, which earned few scoring chances during the game, took advantage of a free kick to score the game-winning goal. On the sequence, defender Cameron Knowles, positioned deep in Impact territory, deflected the ball with a header to midfielder Keith Savage, who was alone on the opposite side. Savage took a point blank shot, leaving no chance to goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who faced a total of 19 shots.
"We are very disappointed with tonight's loss because we fought during 90 minutes and we allowed a last minute goal. We deserved the draw," said defender Simon Gatti. "It was a tough game in their stadium. We did well in midfield but in the offensive third, we did not create opportunities. If you don't score, you can't win."
The Impact, which had not been defeated in its last three regular season games, conceded a first goal to the opponent in 405 minutes of play.
The Timbers, which have not lost in their last eight games, remain unbeaten in five home matches.
Defender Nevio Pizzolitto (18,392 minutes) is now second in minutes played in club history, having surpassed Nick De Santis (18,303 minutes).
Impact midfielder David Testo was playing his 100th game in the USL First Division.
The Montreal Impact will play its second game on the west coast, this Sunday, against the Vancouver Whitecaps, at Swangard Stadium (10 pm, USLlive.com).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
16th minute - Central defender Elkana Mayard deflected with a header a 40-meter free kick from midfielder Sandro Grande, but Timbers goalkeeper Steve Cronin made the save by diving to his right.
34th minute - On a Portland cross punched out by Matt Jordan, Timbers forward George Josten took the rebound, but his lob went just over the Impact goal.
41st minute - From the left wing, Timbers midfielder David Hayes made a cross and the ball deflected on a player in front of the goal before hitting the top of the crossbar.
62nd minute - Timbers midfielder Ryan Pore took a low 20-meter shot, but goalkeeper Matt Jordan dove to his left to make the save.
NEXT GAMES
- Sunday, June 7 - IMPACT @ Vancouver - Swangard Stadium - 10 pm (USLlive.com)
- Thursday, June 18 - Toronto @ IMPACT - 8 pm (Sportsnet, radio-canada.ca, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)*
- Tuesday, June 23 - Miami @ IMPACT - 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
*Nutrilite Canadian Championship
USL First Division Stories from June 5, 2009
- Charleston Battery Earn Convincing 2-0 Win Over Austin Aztex - Austin Aztex
- Whitecaps Double-Header This Sunday - Vancouver Whitecaps
- 10,000 Tickets Sold For The Champions Trophy - Montreal Impact
- Timbers Announce Tickets Detaiks for Burnley Exhibition - Portland Timbers
- Stoppage Time Goal Burns Impact - Montreal Impact
- Late Savage Goal Lifts Timbers To Win Over Montreal - Portland Timbers
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