Impact End Season with 2-0 Win
October 3, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact (12-11-7, 43 pts) wrapped up its regular season on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over the Austin Aztex (15-7-8, 53 pts), in front of 12,608 spectators at Saputo Stadium.
Austin finished the season ranked third in the league standings, which means the Aztex will face the Impact in the quarterfinals, an aggregate-goal home-and-away series. The first match will take place this coming Wednesday at 7:30pm at Saputo Stadium, with the second leg scheduled for Saturday in Austin at 8:30pm (Eastern time).
"We've reached a point in the season where everyone knows what they need to do and that's what allowed us to win today," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "This season really resembles last year, but I think the group is even stronger. A new season starts on Wednesday and we'll need to be ready for a very intense match."
"We did exactly what we needed to do to win today," declared Impact defender Philippe Billy. "The victory was the perfect way to end the regular season. It allows us to keep our momentum and will create some great team spirit for Wednesday, because we know that wins usually lead to more wins. It will be crucial to start the playoffs at home, in front of our fans. We'll have to fight hard to show up in Austin in the best position possible."
The Impact opened the scoring in the 26th minute of play. Following a deep pass from Patrick Leduc, midfielder Anthony Le Gall dribbled into the area and released a powerful shot off the outside of his foot that beat goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo to his right.
Midfielder Rocco Placentino scored the insurance goal at the 87th minute, his third of the season. Placentino scored on the volley, following Leonardo Di Lorenzo's cross to the back post. That was Di Lorenzo's seventh assist, a personal high with the Impact.
"It's always important to win at home," noted Le Gall, who collected his first career point with the club. "It felt great to get a goal and contribute to the win today and I'm glad that I was able to show what I can bring to the team. The club is demonstrating excellent depth with its starters and substitutes and we're ready for the playoffs."
The Impact played a man up as of the 20th minute. Forward Randi Patterson was ejected after taking exception to a tackle from central defender Wesley Charles. Patterson will sit out the first game of the Impact-Aztex quarterfinal.
Goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic, who was playing his first match since July 21, registered his fifth clean sheet of the season.
The Impact won six of its final seven games of the season. During that sequence, the Impact scored 16 goals while only allowing three.
The Impact also finished the season with the exact same record as last year: 12 wins, 11 losses and 7 draws.
Midfielder David Testo did not play as a result of an automatic suspension he received for accumulating a fifth yellow card last Friday versus Vancouver. Goalkeeper Matt Jordan, central defender Hicham Aaboubou and midfielder Antonio Ribeiro benefited from a day of rest.
Tony Donatelli and Philippe Billy set new team records by playing a 30th match this season, while Leonardo Di Lorenzo became the fifth player this season to reach the plateau of 2,000 minutes played.
Montreal plays its quarterfinal match at Saputo Stadium on Wednesday at 7:30pm. Tickets are available via the Admission Network (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com) or at the Saputo Stadium box office.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
19th minute - After seeing his shot blocked by an Aztex defender, forward Ali Gerba jumped on his rebound inside the area but the subsequent left-footed shot taken on the volley sailed just over the Aztex net.
64th minute - After taking a short pass from Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, forward Reda Agourram unleashed a low shot, but the Aztex goalkeeper made a diving save.
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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from October 3, 2010
- Whitecaps FC Playoff Tickets Available on Monday - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers Begin Postseason Thursday in Vancouver - Portland Timbers
- Stars to Face RailHawks in League Quarterfinals - Minnesota United FC
- RailHawks Open Playoffs Against Minnesota - North Carolina FC
- Impact End Season with 2-0 Win - Montreal Impact
- USSF D-2 Pro League Postseason Set to Get Underway on October 6 - USSF D-2
- League Title Eludes Aztex; Montreal Awaits in Playoffs - Austin Aztex
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