By Patrick Vallee/Montreal Impact
MONTREAL, QC
- Montreal Impact shutout Carolina RailHawks 1-0 in their semifinal, first leg, game at Stade Saputo on Thursday evening.
The decisive game of the home-and-away aggregate goal series will be played Sunday at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, at 3 p.m. PT.
"We know that nothing has been decided today, but it is another step towards the championship," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We deserved the result tonight, against a very good team that was well organized. We showed a lot of character."
The Impact scored the game’s only goal in the 35th minute. Following a foul committed on Anthony Le Gall just outside the 18-yard box, midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo scored on a low free kick that squeezed by the RailHawks wall on the right side.
"We needed the victory tonight and we now leave for Carolina ahead in the series," said Di Lorenzo. "We played consistently during the whole match. We could have scored a few more goals tonight, but the win is still satisfying. We now have to finish this 180-minute series with energy."
As expected, the match-up was physical and was marked by six yellow cards.
"We played a good game tonight," said Impact team captain Nevio Pizzolitto. "We knew it was not going to be an easy game because Carolina is a very solid team physically, but we defended well and created good scoring chances. We have to play the away game with the same attitude and we have to be ready to defend with our bodies and souls."
Bothered by a groin injury, Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan left the game at halftime and was replaced by Srdjan Djekanovic for a second consecutive game. Midfielder Antonio Ribeiro was also replaced by Filipe Soares at the 45th minute after pulling a muscle in his right thigh.
The winner of this semifinal series will meet the winner of the series between Vancouver Whitecaps FC (fifth seed) and Puerto Rico Islanders (eighth seed). The two teams played to a 0-0 draw Thursday.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
sixth minute - Forward Ali Gerba crossed the ball towards goal that a RailHawks defender deflected the ball to goalkeeper Eric Reed.
11th minute - Following a cross from Di Lorenzo that originated from the left flank, midfielder Anthony Le Gall fired a shot that Reed blocked, then Sebrango tried to jump on the rebound, but to no avail.
20th minute - Ali Gerba launched two shots in a matter seconds. The first was saved by a diving Eric Reed and the second dropped just on top of the net.
50th minute - In the six-yard box, Eduardo Sebrango headed a ball that was crossed by Di Lorenzo, but the header sailed over top of the net.
