Two goals by Eduardo Sebrango lifted the Montreal Impact to a 2-0 win over the Rochester Raging Rhinos in a game played in front of 5,465 rabid fans. The win ended the Impact's losing streak at three games and helped Montreal to move to within seven points of the Rhinos in the Northeast division.
The Impact easily outplayed the Rhinos throughout the game. Impact forwards pressed on the attack while the defense allowed very few shots to reach Goalkeeper Greg Sutton. In the 6th minute, midfielder Jason Di Tullio had a great chance when Mauro Biello in the Rochester box fed him a pass but Rhinos keeper Pat Onstad smothered his shot. Just three minutes later, the Impact went on the board on a great play by Biello. Charging on the left, Biello sent a shot at Onstad from a tight angle. Sebrango racing down the right side slammed the ball into the net from 2 feet out to put the home team ahead. Montreal 1 Rochester 0.
Montreal did not stop attacking. Defender Nevio Pizzolitto sent a great shot in at Onstad in the 18th minute. Sebrango slid into the ball but could not get a great shot and the ball went harmlessly into Onstad's hands. Onstad was forced to intercept a ball in the 25th minute with three Montreal players threatening. Midfielder Ze Roberto also tested Onstad when his header gave the Rochester keeper a lot of trouble in the 42nd minute.
The Rhinos made wholesale changes, substituting three players right before the second half began. It did little to swing the momentum their way as the Impact continued to dominate. Sebrango potted his second of the night and seventh of the season when he intercepted a clearing shot by Rhinos defender Mali Walton. The Impact forward charged towards the net with the ball and sent a precise shot just above Onstad's arm and into the net. Montreal 2 Rochester 0.
Di Tullio missed a golden opportunity to put Montreal ahead by three when his shot went just wide in the 62nd minute. Five minutes later it was Patrice Bernier who missed a great chance. The Montreal midfielder was fed a terrific pass by Biello, but shot inches wide from inside the box. Bernier had another chance when he chased a loose ball in front of Onstad. The keeper got to the ball a split second before Bernier and managed to kick it out of danger. In the 83rd minute, late substitute Mark Rowland sent a pass into the box that teammate Darko Kolic could not reach in time. The Rhinos could not penetrate the Montreal defense and ran out of time.
After the game, Montreal coach Bob Lilley praised the team effort saying, " They dug deep. Tonight we got the result. " He was very happy with the renewed confidence of his players and the gritty play of his midfielders saying, " You saw a hungry team tonight. We put a lot of pressure on their central defense. " Sebrango, who was content to deflect the praise to his teammate Mauro Biello, said " Mauro is a leader. He's been working hard. I was lucky enough to tap the ball in." Player-assistant coach Nick De Santis who was also pleased with the team's play, said, " We came out very confident and created chances. "
The Impact will face the Vancouver Whitecaps next Wednesday before meeting Hampton Roads on July 24th.
Game notes: This was the second largest crowd to take in an Impact game this season after the home opener… Sutton picked up his sixth shutout of the season…The two teams have met three times so far this season with the Impact winning two and losing one.
Lineups:
Montreal: 1 Greg Sutton (GK), 5 Nevio Pizzolitto, 8 Gabriel Gervais, 13 Lloyd Barker (sub. 7 Nicola Corneli 57th minute), 14 Drew Kopp, 3 Jason Di Tullio, 4 Nick De Santis (sub. 21 Giuliano Oliviero 88th minute), 10 Ze Roberto, 17 Patrice Bernier (sub. 11 Darko Kolic 82nd minute), 12 Eduardo Sebrango (sub. 15 Patrick Leduc 73rd minute), 20 Mauro Biello (sub. 6 Mark Rowland 82nd minute). Substitutes not used: 26 Pieter Meuleman (GK), 2 Adam Braz.
Rochester: 25 Pat Onstad (GK), 3 Craig Demmin, 4 Scott Schweitzer, 6 Mail Walton, 16 Kalin Bankov, 10 Stoian Mladenov (sub. 5 Yuri Lavrynenko 46th minute), 15 Martin Nash (sub. 7 Temoc Suarez 46th minute), 21 Kirk Wilson (8 Tommy Tanner 46th minute), 23 Lenin Steenkamp, 20 Jimmy Tanner (9 Greg Simmonds 54th minute), 22 Dan Stebbins (sub. 58 Carlos Zavala 64th minute). Substitutes not used: 24 Scott Vallow (GK), 11 Billy Sedgewick.
Goals: Sebrango (9 and 54).
Cautions: Corneli (Montreal 74th minute)
Ejections: None
Attendance: 5, 465.
Conditions: Cool and cloudy (66 degrees F). Field dry.
Three stars: 1) Sebrango 2) Biello 3) Bernier
